Karnataka: CM Inspection At APMC Yeshwanth Helps Rescue 19 Child Labourers

BENGALURU: An inspection of Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) yard in Yeshwanthpur of Bengaluru by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday came across child labourers engaged at work and police swung into action to rescue 19 child labourers besides registering cases against shop-keepers over engaging child labourers at their shops. 4 shop-keepers have been detained in connection with employing child labourers at their shops. Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru Seemanth Kumar Singh said the 19 child labourers rescued included 13 from Bihar including a female, 2 each from West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh and 1 each from Rajasthan and Karnataka. 5 police teams were constituted to inspect the APMC area thoroughly to check child labourers and 19 of them were rescued. Among the rescued included, child labourers below 14 years and some in the age group of 14-18 years. The Commissioner of Police said the police will continue to monitor the activities at the APMC yard in coming days and also to verify CCTV footage of the premises to gather details on prevalence of child labourers there. The Commissioner stated 'It is a serious issue. It is an illegal activity to engage children in dangerous activities such as loading, premises having heavy truck movement among others.' Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar stated he directed Deputy Commissioner and police officers concerned to initiate steps to stop child labourers employed at APMC yards and registered cases against persons found to engage child labourers.