In a significant crackdown on child exploitation, authorities in Guwahati have successfully rescued a dozen minors from a hazardous construction site. The operation, conducted on Thursday, highlights the ongoing battle against child labour in the region.
Swift Action Based on Local Tips
Acting on specific information from the community, a coordinated team sprang into action. The rescue force included the District Labour Task Force (DLTF), the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), several non-governmental organisations, and officers from the Azara police station. They targeted a construction site located in the Dharapur area under Azara.
The teams moved swiftly to ensure the safe extraction of the children. Officials reported that the operation was carried out smoothly, with no resistance encountered from the site supervisors during the intervention.
Hazardous Conditions and Ongoing Efforts
The rescued children, twelve in total comprising eight boys and four girls, were found in a distressing state. Their ages ranged from 8 to 14 years. They were labouring amidst crumbling structures without any safety equipment and with access to very little food.
Prerna Changkakati, the executive director of an NGO involved in the mission, revealed that multiple sites were on their radar. "Due to manpower shortages, a few children managed to escape from other locations," she stated. She emphasised that the effort must be persistent, adding, "Such incidents will persist until these children are freed from exploitation and given a safer, more secure future."
Legal Action and Rehabilitation Process
Following the rescue, the Azara police registered a formal case against the contractors responsible for employing the children. The minors were immediately moved to a shelter home in Kamrup district.
At the shelter, they are currently receiving comprehensive care, which includes counselling, proper meals, and necessary medical attention. The next step in their journey to recovery is a formal presentation before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
The CWC will oversee processes for family reunification, rehabilitation, and enrolment in crucial welfare schemes. These schemes are likely to include the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, aimed at ensuring their education and overall well-being.
A Call for Public Vigilance
Officials have hailed the operation as a success and are now urging greater public cooperation. They have appealed to citizens to immediately report any suspected cases of child labour to the child helpline.
Prerna Changkakati reinforced this message, stating, "Every report saves lives. We need enforcement and education to end this cycle." The rescue in Dharapur serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of children and the collective responsibility required to protect them.
