Bengaluru: Karnataka Police rescued around 800 children employed at commercial and industrial establishments during a statewide operation, with Bengaluru accounting for the highest number of rescues at 503.
The operation covered 16,951 premises across 962 police station jurisdictions, with police teams inspecting establishments where children could potentially be employed. Vijayapura recorded the second-highest number of rescues with 72 children, followed by Tumakuru with 33, Koppal with 27, Kalaburagi with 22, Ballari with 15 and Mysuru with 13.
CM’s market visit triggers statewide operation
The statewide action followed Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s visit to the Yeshwanthpur Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) yard on September 8, where he found children working at the market.
Following the visit, Shivakumar directed police and other departments to identify establishments employing children and take action against those responsible.
In Bengaluru, police inspected 5,897 premises across 188 police station limits. The establishments covered included shops, factories, garages, construction sites, hotels, markets, restaurants, petrol stations, malls and other commercial locations.
Police teams from all 11 city divisions, along with two Central Crime Branch teams, participated in the operation.
29 children rescued from Yeshwanthpur APMC market
The operation at the Yeshwanthpur APMC market was initiated separately following the Chief Minister’s visit.
Five teams comprising assistant commissioners of police, police inspectors and Labour Department officials conducted inspections under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, North division.
The teams rescued 29 children from the market, including 19 who were reportedly employed in shops. Four FIRs were registered against shop owners.
The rescued children included minors from Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka.
18 cases registered in Bengaluru
Across Bengaluru, 18 cases were registered against establishments found employing children under the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act and the Juvenile Justice Act.
Depending on the nature of employment, employers were either booked or issued notices.
Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh said a majority of the rescued children were working in hotels, restaurants, eateries, petrol pumps, grocery stores and warehouses.
He said some establishments employed children because they could be paid significantly less than adult workers.
Police classified the employment detected during the inspections as hazardous and non-hazardous. FIRs were registered against employers where children were found engaged in hazardous occupations, while notices were issued in cases involving non-hazardous work.
Children from several states and Nepal rescued
The children rescued during the statewide operation came from several states as well as Nepal.
The rescued minors have been handed over to Child Welfare Committees for rehabilitation. In some cases, children were reunited with their parents.
Vijayapura police inspected 1,156 premises and rescued 72 children. Authorities recorded 25 instances requiring action in the district, including three FIRs.
In Tumakuru, police inspected 660 premises and rescued 33 children.
Koppal rescues 27 children
In Koppal, police teams checked 95 premises under 14 police stations and rescued 27 children. Notices were issued against employers found engaging children.
Other districts also reported child labour rescues during the statewide drive. However, no children were found working at the establishments inspected in several districts, including Mandya, Davangere, Hassan, Shivamogga, Uttara Kannada, Chikkamagaluru, Gadag and Raichur.
The coordinated operation brought police and Labour Department officials together for inspections and enforcement, with the aim of identifying establishments continuing to employ children and initiating action against employers.
The rescued children will remain under the care of Child Welfare Committees, which will oversee their rehabilitation and other necessary support.