India, July 21 -- In a chilling case of bonded labour and child exploitation, Beed police recently rescued 17 children, nine girls and eight boys, belonging to Katkari tribal families who had been held hostage by labour contractors. The children were being used as collateral after their parents failed to repay small cash advances given for seasonal work at charcoal-making units.

These families, from Raigad and Pune districts, had migrated to work in harsh conditions in wooden charcoal kilns across Maharashtra. When they failed to meet the work targets or attempted to return home, contractors detained their children at homes in Gahukhel Tanda, Ashti tehsil, Beed district, to force compliance.

The racket came to light when two children es...