A total of 20 minors working in shops and other trade outlets in different locations of the city were rescued during joint raids conducted by the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), State labour Department, Childline, Task Force Committee and Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
The rescue operation was conducted on the last day of the month-long operation ‘Smile’ launched by Central Government, officials stated.
The raids were conducted from morning hours at Katora Talab, Shastri Chowk, Shayam Nagar, Gole Bazaar and other market places which continued till late evening.
DCPU Head Navneet Swarnkar informed that children who were engaged in begging, rag picking, drug abuse and child laborers have been rescued by the team. Minor girls found working at utensil shops, beauty shops, small restaurants, tyre and automobile shops were also rescued.
In all, the 20 rescued children were later handed over to Childline who will further present them before the State Child Welfare Committee for rehabilitation process.
The labour Department would take action against employers who had hired minor children, he said.