17 February 2009

Hazaribagh, Feb. 17: A police team and representatives of the district administration today raided about 24 restaurants and roadside dhabas across the district and rescued 105 child labourers.

The operation was led by Hazaribagh superintendent of police Pankaj Kamboj. Sub-divisional officer Ravindra Kumar Singh and deputy superintendents of police Manilal Mandal and Naushad Alam were also a part of the team.

The district administration said that it was planning to rehabilitate these children who are in the age group of 8 to 14.

The raid came on the initiative of Bachpan Bachao Andolan, an NGO that is fighting against child labour. Gobind of Bachpan Bachao Andolan said that they had information about these children working in the eateries. “We informed the administration and accordingly, a plan was chalked out to carry out a raid,” he said.

Sources said the raids were carried out in restaurants and dhabas situated at Demotand, Ichak and town.

After their rescue, the children complained that they were subjected to inhuman treatment by the eatery owners. “We were forced to work from early morning till late night,” said Mahadev, a resident of Purulia district in Bengal.

“We were paid only Rs 250 a month,” added Vishwanath, another child labourer. Others complained that they were not even allowed to visit their homes.

Gobind said that they were preparing a report on these children. “ We will submit it to the administration for action against the eatery owners,” he added.

Deputy commissioner Binay Choubey hinted at action against the owners of restaurants and dhabas.

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