The Hyderabad city police on Monday said that they had rescued 325 children including 11 girls, who were engaged in child labour and begging across the city in the month of January. Titled ‘Operation Smile’, the city police initiated a month-long programme to trace missing children.
“In Hyderabad city, 17 teams were constituted, each headed by a Sub Inspector. In the city so far, 325 children have been rescued including 11 girls. Of these, 53 children have been admitted in rescue homes while 272 have been handed over to their parents,” the police said in a press release.
“Seven of the rescued children were below 10 years of age, 38 were aged between 11 and 14 while 280 children were between the age of 14 to 18 years. During this operation, 14 cases have been booked against various establishments for engaging child labour,” the press release added.
The police also said that a fine amount of Rs 6,75,365 was imposed on different establishments for various violations.
“The rescued children were found working in different types of establishments and factories like those engaged in making bags, bangles, biscuits, bakery items, electrical items, mechanic shops, computer work, fabrications, welding shops, tiffin centres etc,” the police said.
Besides children belonging to Hyderabad and Telangana, the police said that around 100 children who were rescued during the operaton, hailed from states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and even Nepal.
“The Darpan app was used for checking the details of children with the database. Taking a humane approach, the city police on its own initiative, admitted three of these children in schools. Two of these children had dropped out from school due to family reasons and were found wandering on the streets. They have been admitted in different schools in Secunderabad and were provided a uniform and books by Sub Inspector Rajini of Trimulgherry police station,” the police said.
“Further, one 10-year-old boy was working in an electrical shop due to financial problem. He showed interest in joining school and ASI Rafiuddin of Golconda Police Station took initiative and got him admitted in a school at Tappachabutra. We are grateful to the management of the three schools who have agreed to provide free education to these children,” the police added.