New Delhi, 22 August  2007: Another heartrending incident of trafficking, captivity and slavery incident has been exposed through a secret raid in the capital conducted by BBA, in association with the officials of Labour department, Sub-divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Karol Bagh of Delhi and the police in which 8 children from Katihar district of Bihar  were released. The youngest among was 10 years old. Most of these children were trafficked from their native villages during the span of last 1 to 2 years.

Living and working in sub-human conditions, they were never allowed to go back home. Most of them were paid only Rs. 50-60 per week as pocket money, they were given unpalatable food besides abusive treatment said one child, Mohd. Naib. He said that it was common for them to be hurt by the needles used for making artificial jewellery and bangles. The needles are slightly hooked and have to be twisted to remove them from the skin. And this would lead to some tender flesh coming out along with the needle. They received no medical attention for this. Another child, 14 year old Ashraf said that they were beaten often.

BBA received complaints from some sources that a group of children were confined in Sitaram Bazar area of Karol Bagh, based on which BBA activists conducted a thorough investigation. BBA chairperson, R.S. Chaurasia, then approached the SDM and the labour authorities to seek the release of these children under the relevant laws. Their release is being secured under the Bonded Labour Abolition Act, 1976. Under this law, each of the families of the children would be entitled for various rehabilitation scehemes under the Central and State Governments. They will be given Rs. 20000 along with facilities of housing and land etc. Children would be enrolled in schools. The employers would also be prosecuted for violation of labour laws.

"Follow-up for statutory rehabilitation and if necessary providing transit shelter, rehabilitation, and education by the organisation itself for each such child is of utmost priority for BBA" said Kailash Satyarthi.  The 8 rescued bonded children are now at the Mutki Ashram, the transit rehabilitation centre of BBA and will be repatriated soon after they they get the release certificates from the Magistrate.

Mr. Satyarthi pointed out – "Despite all our efforts the core employers are not caught. Even the contractors and sub contractors whisk away. Unless the big fish are caught, this will go on." Mr. Ramesh Gupta, the President of BBA has demanded a thorough investigation to measure the magnitude of the problem of child trafficking and servitude in the jewellery workshops in Delhi. The rescue operation was conducted under the leadership of Mr. Rakesh Senger . The national secretaries including Bhuwan Ribhu and Rajiv Bhardwaj , Neeraj Verma were among those who facilitated it.