19 Child Labourers Rescued in Bengaluru Crackdown

Bengaluru, Sep 8: A surprise crackdown on child labour at the Yeshwanthpur APMC market here on Tuesday led to the rescue of 19 children, following Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s direction to take stringent action against those employing minors.

The operation was launched shortly after Shivakumar visited the APMC market and interacted with farmers, labourers and traders. During the visit, members of the public alerted him to the alleged employment of children at shops in the market.

Taking immediate cognisance of the complaints, five special teams comprising police and labour officials were formed under the supervision of B S Nemagouda, DCP, North Division. The teams subsequently rescued 19 children working at shops in the market.

Of the rescued children, 13 were from Bihar, including 12 boys and a girl. Two each were from West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, while one each was from Rajasthan and Karnataka.

Police said cases had been registered against the shop owners under the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, and the Juvenile Justice Act. Investigations are underway to determine the circumstances in which the children were employed.

In a separate operation, 10 more children found working along the roadside were rescued and produced before the Bengaluru Child Welfare Committee for necessary action.

Shivakumar directed the police to arrest by Tuesday evening those who employed the children as well as those who allegedly sent them to work. He also warned that senior police officials could face suspension if prompt action was not taken.

The Chief Minister said the concerned Circle Inspector, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police could be suspended for failing to act against child labour.

The operation was conducted under the guidance of Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh and Joint Commissioner of Police (West) C Vamshi Krishna, with the participation of police inspectors, labour inspectors and other personnel from the Yeshwanthpur sub-division.

The rescued children are being produced before the appropriate child-welfare authorities for protection, rehabilitation and further action.

The crackdown is being seen as a strong message that establishments employing children, as well as officials responsible for preventing child labour, will be held accountable.