800 child labourers rescued across Karnataka days after CM Shivakumar’s market visit

In a surprise statewide operation, the Karnataka Police rescued a staggering 800 child laborers on Saturday. This rescue effort came just days following Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's visit to the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) market in Bengaluru, where he observed child labor firsthand. As a result of this visit, 29 children were rescued. On Saturday, the police conducted their raids across all 962 police station limits in the state, a measure aimed at eradicating child labor across Karnataka.

The operation yielded significant results, with 503 children being rescued in Bengaluru, the highest number in the state. Vijayapura followed closely with 72 rescues, while Tumakuru, Koppal, Kalaburagi, Ballari, and Mysuru contributed 33, 27, 22, 15, and 13 children respectively. The raids were not confined to a single sector but targeted garages, marts, repair shops, hotels, markets, bars, and restaurants, areas where child labor is often hidden.

A senior police officer revealed that the raids were far from over, with further action planned. Already, legal proceedings have commenced, with the filing of FIRs and, in certain instances, notices issued. The labor department and members of the Child Welfare Committee collaborated with the police in these operations. The establishments where these child laborers were found were promptly booked under the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.