Nizamabad: In a bizarre incident, a couple mortgaged their two daughters with a moneylender at Mosra village in Varni mandal of Nizamabad district. The incident came to light on Tuesday as the moneylender refused to release the girls to their parents in view of the Sankranti festival. Police intervened in the issue and freed the girls.

According to sources, Kamma Shivamma and Kamma Kashiram had taken Rs 10,000 from one Shanker of Mosra village three months ago. Both moneylender and borrowers belong to the Sisakammari community. The couple agreed to work for Shankar while taking the money. However, due to Ms Shivamma falling ill, they were unable to work in Mosra and had to shift elsewhere.

Surprisingly, the couple mortgaged their daughters, Laya, 10, and Priya, 7, (names changed), with Shanker. Helping in domestic works and in metal works, the girls had been living in Mosra for the last three months.