Balangir, Dec 6: In a significant operation, Turekela police rescued 15 migrant workers in Balangir district who were allegedly being transported illegally out of the state.

The workers, hailing from Lathor, Titilagarh, and Patnagarh areas, were reportedly being taken out of the state to Vijayawada for work after receiving advance payments from a local labour contractor, identified as Suresh Badekar of Kandhabahal village.

The rescue took place near Semela village during routine police patrolling.

Upon checking documents, police discovered that the workers were being transported illegally. Authorities immediately intervened and ensured the workers’ safety.


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Police have confirmed that further investigation is underway into the illegal trafficking attempt, and action will be taken against those responsible under relevant laws.

India has an estimated 150–200 million migrant workers in 2025, moving across states and within districts for employment.

Migration is driven by agrarian distress, lack of local jobs, and urbanisation, with workers seeking opportunities in construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and services.

States like Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh are major sources of migrant labour, while Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh are common destinations.