Children involved in work in one of the zari unit

Rescued children under protection of police

False rumours propagated by a local politician

On 1st of November 2010, Bachpan Bachao Andolan alongwith the labour department, Task Force and Delhi Police conducted a raid and rescue operation in their effort to eradicate Child Labour in Jamia Nagar, New Delhi. After rigorous effort by the activists of BBA more than 200 child labourers in zari industry were identified. On this context BBA filed a complaint to the District Task Force, D.C South on 19th october 2010. After two planning meetings with all stakeholders of District Task Force, the raid and rescue date was finalised on 1st November 2010. As such the team  gathered at Kalkaji Police Station at 9:30 a.m to move for identified spot headed by SDM, Defence Colony, Mr. P.N. Jha and moved towards Batla House and hence started the rescue operation.  Children in this area were involved in the zari works in miserable condition. They were between 6 years to 13 years of age.

The whole process of rescue was done peacefully and the teams were successful in rescuing around sixty children and they were being taken to the vehicle, but suddenly out of nowhere two person named Amanatulla and Samiulla, who introduced themslves as some members of a political organizaton, along with the owners of the industry came and interrupted the process of rescue operation. These two person propagated a communal flavour during conversation with our team members and motivated the people by saying that these people are against Muslims.

As a result of their interruption the local people started gathering and asking questions. The Police Officials and the people from the labour department remained standing as mere spectators and most of them disaapeared from the spot. The activists of Bachpan Bachao Andolan were treated indecently by the owners and the two so called local leaders namely Amanautulla and Samiulla. They went to that  extent of obstructing the whole process and started to threaten the children and forcefully snatched the rescued children away.

Inspite of this, the Police and the Labour Department did not take any action and at last we had to return back empty handed. Shri R.S Chaurasia, Chairperson of BBA, said in this context “This happened because of the inefficient attitude of the administration but our activists will continue this movement against those who are responsible for creating this kind of inhuman situation unless all rescued children are rescued in that area