No land 27 years after being freed as bonded labourers

Forest Dept. recently took back the land on which they were allowed to cultivate; officials assure alternative land will be identified

“Now, we are left with no option but to go back to work as bonded labourers,” rued Lakshmamma of Ganguru in Arkalgud taluk on Friday. She is among the 91 people released as bonded labourers by the State government in 1994. Even after waiting for 27 years, their wish to own land has remained a distant dream. “The government released us from bondage then. But, now with no land to cultivate, we are forced to return to the same landlords, requesting them to take us back as labourers,” said Lakshmamma.