Bengaluru, 12 September

Over 100 children allegedly engaged in labour at various establishments in the City were rescued on Saturday during a special drive to prevent child labour, police said.

The drives were conducted by teams from the East and Northeast divisions of Bengaluru Police, following directions from City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh, to prevent child labour and identify and rescuing children engaged in it.

According to police, 85 teams headed by officers were formed to check godowns, market places, hotels, lodges, bakeries, bus stops, railway stations, apartments, construction sites and other locations across all police station limits in the East division. 

A total of 917 premises were checked, and 71 children engaged in labour were rescued. Legal action has been initiated against those who employed the children, and verification of their ages is underway; more FIRs will be registered after confirmation, a senior police officer said.

Meanwhile, in the Northeast division, inspections were conducted at approximately 295 locations, including garages, marts, repair shops, hotels, markets, bars and restaurants, during which 43 child labourers were identified and rescued. Further inquiry is in progress, and necessary legal action will be taken against concerned persons and establishments, another officer said.