The Childline, NGO Ruchika, the DCPU and the OPEPA, with the assistance of local police, have rescued at least 15 children who were either engaged in begging or were working at various hotels at the Baramunda bus-stand here. An NGO official said six of the children were working in different hotels at the bus-stand while the other nine were engaged in begging there. Most of the children were of 10 to 14 years of age.
The rescued children were sent to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). CWC member Benudhar Senapati said efforts are on to rescue more children who are deprived of education and working in hotels to feed their stomachs. “Primary education is mandatory for a child as it is a fundamental right of an individual. So, nobody has the power to take this right away from them,” he said.