GUWAHATI: On the occasion of World Day Against Child Labour, the District Level Task Force (DLTF), Kamrup (M), rescued eight children engaged in labour during separate operations conducted under the jurisdictions of Dispur and Noonmati police stations on Thursday, June 12.
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According to officials, four children ,three girls aged 14, 15 and 16 years respectively, and a boy aged around 14 years, were rescued from domestic labour in the Dispur Police Station area. In a separate operation under the Noonmati Police Station jurisdiction, four more children were rescued from commercial establishments. The children, aged 16 years (two) and 17 years (two), were reportedly engaged in motor repair shops and garages.
Speaking to GPlus, the Officers-in-Charge (OCs) of the concerned police stations stated that they had no prior information about the children being employed at the establishments where they were found.
Sidarth Shashi Sharma, Project Coordinator of Child Helpline at the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Kamrup(M) said the rescue operations were carried out jointly by the Labour Department, a deputed magistrate, Child Helpline under DCPU, social workers, and partner NGOs including Child Friendly Guwahati (CFG), Assam Centre for Rural Development (ACRD), and Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), with support from officials of the respective police stations.
He further informed that a magistrate was specifically deputed for the operation involving children engaged in domestic labour.
The rescued children have been brought under the care of the concerned authorities, and further legal proceedings are being initiated in accordance with the provisions of child protection and labour laws.