19 child labourers rescued from Bengaluru market after CM's visit; employers face arrest

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday ordered the police to arrest those employing children and those who had sent them to work. He gave the directions noticing children working at Bengaluru's Yeshwanthpur APMC market during a surprise visit. Shivakumar lost his temper upon noticing the children at work and directed the police to take action by the evening. He warned that the Circle Inspector, DSP, ACP and DCP concerned would face suspension if immediate action was not taken. .CM D K Shivakumar makes surprise visit to Yeshwantpur APMC; interacts with onion growers, women workers. The Chief Minister visited the APMC market and interacted with farmers, labourers and traders about their grievances. It was during this visit that the public reportedly informed him that minor boys were employed at some shops. Following his directions, five special teams comprising police and Labour Department officials were formed under the supervision of Bengaluru North Division Deputy Commissioner of Police B S Nemagouda. The teams conducted a search operation in the market and rescued 19 children. Of those rescued, 13 were from Bihar: 12 boys and a girl. Additionally, two were from West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. One boy each from Rajasthan and Karnataka. .'Bengaluru is a global city, 2 lakh foreign passport holders work here': DK Shivakumar. Police have registered four cases at the RMC Yard police station against shop owners under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 and the Juvenile Justice Act. In addition, five cases have been registered against shop owners under the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986. The team also rescued 10 children working on the roadside and produced them before the Child Welfare Committee, police said.