New Delhi, January 12 

In yet another rescue operation in the city, a joint raid organized by District Task Force on Child Labour rescue and rehabilitation, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Labour Department, Delhi Police and Child Rights Organization Bachpan Bachao Andolan, 9 bonded child labourers were rescued from a Bindi unit in Wazirpur area of north-west Delhi.

The children, belonging to the age bracket of 8-12 years are mostly from Madhubani and Muzzafarpur areas of Bihar. Majority of them were working in the bindi factory for more than 2 years. The exotic beautification products and finely ornamented women’s accessories that the affluent class of our society haughtily exhibit are synthesized by the illegally trafficked children from destitute families of remote Indian villages. Qasim, a 9 year old boy who had been working under the same employer for more than 2 years said, “A man forcibly bought me here from my village and sold me to this employer. I have been working for 14-16 hours everyday from last 2 years. Me and 8 other boys live in this 10x10 dingy room”.

Rakesh Senger, National Secretary of Bachpan Bachao Andolan, who was present in the raid said, “We have rescued more than 150 children alone from this industry. This is one of the areas with highest percentage of Child Labor. The information about the raid was leaked today, so most of the units in these  confined rooms were locked. Still, we have managed to rescue these 9 children. “