New Delhi, 23 September (H.S.): Eleven children, including a six-year-old boy, were rescued from child labour during a joint operation in Tigri area of South Delhi, officials said.

The rescued children, all boys aged between six and 17 years, were found working at motorcycle repair shops, slipper shops, pizza outlets, bakeries, hotels and roadside eateries under the Tigri police station area.

The children belonged to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra and were allegedly employed without proper wages and safeguards. Two of the youngest children, aged six and 10, were found working at a slipper shop, where they were reportedly given chips and biscuits instead of wages.

Five of the 11 children had allegedly not been paid any wages, while the others were receiving only nominal amounts.

The operation was conducted on the basis of information provided by the Association for Voluntary Action (AVA). The rescue team included the Tehsildar of Deoli, Labour Department officials, police personnel, representatives of the Child Development Department, AVA and Bal Vikas Dhara (BVD).

The action was taken on the orders of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Deoli, under provisions of the Child Labour Act, Juvenile Justice Act, Bonded Labour Act and anti-trafficking law. Eleven establishments were sealed following the operation.

The SDM recorded statements of the rescued children, while an investigation is underway into the circumstances in which they were employed. The children underwent medical examinations following the rescue and were subsequently sent to a children's home.

Dhananjay Tingal, Executive Director of the Association for Voluntary Action, said the action reflected the administration's efforts against child labour in Delhi and the role of civil society organisations.

He said strict action should be taken against those involved in exploiting children to prevent such incidents in the future.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar