New Delhi, 10 December 2009: The International Human Rights Day on December 10 dawned a new beginning of freedom from trafficking and slavery for 56 children rescued today from garment units in New Delhi. The rescue operation was conducted in a joint raid with Labour Department and Delhi Police in a Zari factory in Garhi area of South Delhi which falls under Lajpat Nagar Police jurisdiction.
Majority of the children were trafficked from from Nepal, Bihar and West Bengal and were lured into the inhumane work by false promise of sufficient salaries. The children were working for more than 12 hours a day on a salary of mere 50 rupees per week.

Muhammad Aftab (name changed), a 10 year old boy who was initially reluctant to go with Police authorities looked visibly elated when he realised that Government is going to arrange for his shelter and food. “I didn’t know that Police will take care of us, my employer said that they will catch hold of us and torment us. He also instructed us to call him our father if someone asks. It’s been 2 years that I saw my parents. Our maser was trying to hide us, fortunately, that didn’t happen today. I hope to meet my mother really soon."

SDM Kalkaji, Ms. Richa said, “We have rescued 54 children who were working as bonded labourers in pitiable conditions from Garhi area near East of Kailash. Prosecution of employer would be initiated under stringesnt provisions of law and we hope to receive rehabilitation sum that the children are entitled to at the earliest.” “We have increased our activities in South Delhi area to reduce child labour to the least possible number. We are committed to punish the employers severely to set a precedent for others to follow,” she added.

`Chairperson of BBA, R.S. Chaurasia said, “We would do a follow-up on all the rescued children with the help of State Governments and would also try and make sure that the rehabilitation is done as per relevant legal provisions under Child Labour Act and bonded Labour Act.