December 19, 2009, New Delhi: Intensifying the rescue operations in the city, a joint raid organized by Task Force on elimination of Child Labour, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Labour Department, Delhi Police and Child Rights Organization Bachpan Bachao Andolan, 66 bonded child labourers were rescued and their employers arrested from bindi, steel, plastic and leather units from Mukherjee Market near District Center, Karol Bagh.

The children, belonging to the age bracket of 6-14 years are mostly from Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sitamari areas of Bihar and Gondabasti in U.P. Majority of them were working in the leather factory for more than 2 years. The chic leather purses and superior executive files that the affluent class of our society haughtily carry are synthesized by the illegally trafficked children from destitute families of remote Indian villages. Qasim, a 9 year old boy whose leg was severely injured by his employer in an attempt to hide him from police authorities 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 8 months. Me and 8 other boys live in this 10x10 room which is always stinking with leather smell”.

Akash Mahapatre, DC (Central) said, “The rescued trafficked bonded child labourers will be rehabilitated under Bonded Labour Act. A rehabilitation sum of 20,000 would be given to all the children in addition to lifelong pension of Rs 500. They would also be enrolled in NCLP schools and would be reintegrated with their families by Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and Resident Commissioner.”

R.S Chaurasia, chairperson of Bachpan Bachao Andolan, who was also present in the raid said, “This is our third raid in collaboration with Task Force in past 10 days. The number of the rescue operations has escalated in last few months and we are glad that the authorities are taking the issue of child labour in all seriousness. “

Girish Pandey, SDM Karol Bagh, said, “The District Task Force had a meeting yesterday with Deputy Commissioner (Central) Mr. Akash Mahapatre and we decided about this raid. 10 employers have been arrested in this raid and they would be fined a sum of Rs 20,000 and 2-3 years imprisonment.”

SDM Daryaganj, NK Sharma and Assistant Labour Commissioner (Central) M.K Gaur were also present in the raid.