On Saturday, authorities in Karnataka conducted a major operation to rescue children allegedly engaged in labour across various establishments. The initiative, described as a special drive, involved a thorough review of 16,951 premises across 38 police units statewide. It was prompted by recent observations made by Chief Minister D K Shivakumar during a visit to the APMC Yard in Bengaluru, where he encountered children at work.

Reports indicate that the operation successfully led to the rescue of 800 children found working in different capacities. Police have initiated legal proceedings against the employers involved, as part of a larger strategy to combat child labour within the state.

Bengaluru Sees Highest Number of Rescues

According to the police, Bengaluru accounted for the majority of rescues, with a total of 503 children freed during the operation. Various teams from 12 divisions of the City Police executed this initiative under the direct supervision of City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh. In conjunction with the rescues, law enforcement registered 18 cases against shop owners for employing minors.

The data shared by the Chief Minister’s Office highlighted the distribution of rescues across other districts: 13 children were found in Mysuru, 10 in Hubballi-Dharwad, three in Mangaluru, 22 in Kalaburagi, and nine in Bengaluru Rural. These figures reflect a significant effort by authorities to address the issue of child labour statewide.

In a statement, Chief Minister Shivakumar reiterated the importance of safeguarding children’s rights, asserting that every child should experience a childhood filled with education and safety. He expressed his growing concern after witnessing minors working in shops during a recent visit.

Enforcement of Child Labour Laws Strengthened

The Chief Minister underscored the commitment of the Karnataka government to enforce the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act of 1986 vigorously. He emphasised that children should not be subjected to labour but should instead have the opportunity to grow and learn in educational environments.

Statistics from the operation indicate that the rescued children in Bengaluru were scattered across various police divisions, including 63 from the Central division, 54 from the South division, and multiple others from respective areas. Inspections took place at numerous locations such as warehouses, marketplaces, hotels, construction sites, and transport hubs.

The office of the Bengaluru Commissioner of Police reported that 5,897 establishments were inspected within the city limits, resulting in the identification of 503 child labourers. Legal actions have been initiated against the responsible parties under relevant laws, and investigations are ongoing to address this pressing issue.

The ambitious drive to combat child labour by the Karnataka government is indicative of a broader commitment to protect children’s rights and ensures they can pursue a brighter future free from exploitation.

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