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GWALIOR, INDIA, July 10, 2002: The initiative of Swami Agnivesh freed 89 bonded labors and their families of almost ten years. The contractors subjected them to exploitation, molestation, rape and all sorts of inhuman treatment. “We had a sound sleep last night and the bright sun this morning is making us realize the end of the slavery era,” said laborers Batan Lal and Siddha after escaping to reach Swami Agnivesh’s Delhi office to narrate their despicable condition. Freed and gathered at Morar Hospital the laborers undergo medical checkup. It has been a sort of feast day for them with elaborate arrangements by the administration. There was jubilation among the liberated laborers. The laborers touched Swami Agnivesh’s feet as mark of respect. They said no one else could have dared to penetrate the invincible fortress of Devi Singh. The contractor hired laborers with assurance of paying US$2.05 per person per day. Instead, he paid them ration coupons worth $1.23 and never made payment in cash. In case of an accident or minor injury, a hefty sum of money was deducted from their wages in the name of treatment, said a laborer. Urging the administration to eliminate the evil from the society, Swami Agnivesh reported about 4,000 to 5,000 bonded laborers in Gwalior and Shivpuri region with similar exploitation.

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