In what activists claim is the first child bonded labour case registered in Uttarakhand since 2010, the Vasant Vihar police registered a case on Tuesday. The 15-year old boy who hails from Bihar will be sent to Rajkiya Bal Grah, Haridwar on Thursday. Members of Bachpan Bachao Aandalon found him working in a fast food shop while conducting a raid at Balliwala Chowk.
Member of Bachpan Bachao Aandolan, Sandeep Pant told this correspondent, “We conducted raids on different locations on Tuesday and rescued three minors. One of them was being made to work as a bonded labourer. We have registered a First Information Report in Vasant Vihar police station under sections of human trafficking, 370 of IPC and section 16 of Bonded Labour System Abolition Act.
As per my information, this is the first registered FIR on child bonded labour in Uttarakhand in the past decade.”
He further added, “We are now speaking with district administration to provide the benefits of Centre Sector Scheme for the Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourer. He is also supposed to get a Release Certificate from the district administration.”
Regarding the other two minors he said, “Both of them were working in a bike repair garage. We rescued them and then handed them over to Child Welfare Committee.”
He also alleged that sub-divisional magistrate and other officers are working in the bonded labour case, but revenue and labour department officials are passing the buck on each other.
Member of CWC, Sudhir Bhatt said, “The minor is being sent to Bal Grah in Haridwar. The case has been filed and the investigation is going on.
The case appears to be of bonded labour because the minor was living and working in the same shop.
He was not found in hygienic condition. His working hours were also said to be about 10 to 12 hours daily.”
Indranagar chowki in charge, Dhani Ram Purohit said, “The case was filed under different sections of Juvenile Justice Act, Bonded Labour Act and 370 of IPC. The investigation is ongoing.”