800 children rescued from child labour across Karnataka in statewide drive

Eight hundred children allegedly employed as labourers at various establishments across Karnataka were rescued on Saturday during a special statewide drive, officials said.

The operation was carried out by 962 police stations across the state, with teams checking 16,951 premises in various districts. Legal action was also initiated against those found employing children as labourers, officials said.

The rescue operation followed directions from Chief Minister D K Shivakumar to conduct a statewide drive to identify child labourers. The directions came after he found children working during his recent visit to the APMC Yard in Bengaluru.

In Bengaluru alone, 503 children were rescued during special drives conducted by teams from 12 divisions of the City Police following directions from City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh, police said.

Following the operation, police registered 18 cases against shop owners in Bengaluru for allegedly employing children at their establishments.

The drive was aimed at preventing child labour and identifying and rescuing children engaged in labour.

Data shared by the CMO office showed that 13 children were rescued in Mysuru city, 10 in Hubballi-Dharwad, three in Mangaluru, 22 in Kalaburagi and nine in Bengaluru Rural.

Taking to social media platform 'X', CM Shivakumar said every child deserves a childhood filled with learning, safety and the freedom to dream.

Recalling his recent visit to the Yeshwanthpur APMC market in Bengaluru, he said he was deeply concerned to learn that children below 14 were being employed at some shops.

"I immediately directed the officials to take strict action, leading to the rescue of 19 children. Four FIRs have also been registered against the shop owners," he said, referring to his September 8 visit. 

Shivakumar said the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, is clear in its purpose.

"We will ensure that it is enforced firmly. No child should be made to work when they should be in school, learning and growing. Our government will continue to do everything necessary to protect their rights and secure a better future for our children," Shivakumar added.

According to police, 63 children were rescued from Central Bengaluru, 54 from South, 84 from West, 62 from North, 17 from Southwest, 14 from Northwest, 71 from East, 55 from Northeast, 13 from Southeast, three from Electronic City, 22 from Whitefield and 45 from Central Crime Branch jurisdiction limits.

Teams led by officers and comprising labour inspectors were formed to inspect all godowns, marketplaces, hotels, lodges, bakeries, bus stops, railway stations, apartments, construction sites and other establishments within the limits of all police stations across the state.

"A total of 5,897 premises were checked and 503 children engaged in labour were rescued," the office of Bengaluru Commissioner of Police said in a statement.

During the special operation conducted across all divisions of Bengaluru, 18 cases were registered against shop owners under provisions of the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) and the Juvenile Justice Act, it said.

Further investigation is in progress, police added.  (with inputs from PTI)