11 child workers rescued by cops

Eleven children were rescued from bangle-making units in north-west Delhi’s Jahangirpuri. The rescued kids, aged between six and 17, belonged to Gaya in Bihar.

Delhi Police officers, Labour officers and members of NGO Prayas raided the premises in Jahangirpuri on Monday. 

“The rescue team moved to their fixed points and successfully rescued 11 kids,” said project manager of Childline (Prayas) Javed Ali.

Both factories have been sealed by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Model Town.“Seven children were rescued from second floor of a factory in Jahangirpuri and four children from another factory,” Ali added.

According to the NGO, the children were found making bangles.

“They were forced to live in the same premises where they worked — one small room. Most of them have never been to school. These kids were working for over 15 hours a day. They used to get an average amount of Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000 per month,” Ali said.

The employer allowed them to talk to their parents once a week, he added.The rescued minors, after their medical examination, were taken to the Child Welfare Committee, Sewa Kutir. The CWC directed police to transfer them to Prayas Children Home for Boys in Jahangirpuri.

The CWC also directed SHO Jahangirpuri to register an FIR against employer under the Juvenile Justice Act and Child Labour Act. 

On April 19, a 12 year-old boy named Pramod came to Prayas. The child told the NGO that he belonged to Gaya and came to Delhi around five days ago.

“He worked at a bangle-making factory in Jahangirpuri. His owner used to beat him, so he ran away. He said some 10 to 12 children were still working there,” said the NGO.On April 21, the NGO produced the child before Sewa Kutir. “The CWC passed an order to keep the child in children’s home for boys in Jahangirpuri and directed SHO of Jahangirpuri to take immediate action,” the NGO added.