Kantabanji police rescued 55 migrant workers from a house in Ward No. 8, Balangir district. The group included 41 adults and 14 children.
Officers found the victims confined inside the premises. Police acted on a tip-off and raided the location late Friday night.
The Assistant Superintendent of Police led the operation. Investigators revealed the workers were being prepared for trafficking to other states.
Traffickers planned to send them to brick kilns and construction sites. Police identified Brajesh Behera and Prakash Behera as the main suspects.
Both suspects escaped during the raid. Police launched a manhunt to track them down.
Authorities intensified surveillance across the district. Officers alerted toll gates and transport hubs to monitor movement.
Police ensured the rescued