Karnataka Police Rescue 800 Children in Statewide Child Labour Crackdown

In a major statewide crackdown on child labour, Karnataka Police rescued at least 800 children during surprise raids conducted across the state on Saturday.

The operation was carried out across the limits of all 962 police stations in Karnataka. Bengaluru recorded the highest number of rescues, with 503 children being rescued during the drive.

The action came days after Chief Minister D K Shivakumar visited the APMC market in Bengaluru, where he spotted children working. Following his visit, 29 child labourers were rescued from the area.

Police officials said the raids are still underway and will continue. FIRs have already been registered in several cases, while notices have also been issued to some establishments.

Officials from the Labour Department and Child Welfare Committees participated in the operation. Owners of establishments found employing children have been booked under the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.