📷 Image Credits: The Hindu
In a recent rescue operation led by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), a total of 58 children, including 39 boys and 19 girls, were rescued from a liquor factory in Madhya Pradesh’s Raisen district. The children were found to be working at Som Distilleries, where their hands were severely burnt due to exposure to harsh chemicals and alcohol. The NCPCR chairperson, Priyank Kanoongo, highlighted the dire situation, stating that the children were being transported daily in a school bus and made to work long hours in hazardous conditions. This alarming discovery has triggered outrage and calls for strict action against the responsible parties.
Following the raid, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav emphasized the seriousness of the matter and directed authorities to take appropriate action. The excise officer and several others associated with the factory faced suspension as a consequence of the child labour revelation. Additionally, the BBA director, Manish Sharma, expressed shock at the working conditions of these children, urging for the implementation of stringent measures to combat child trafficking and labour.
The rescue operation shed light on the grim reality of child labour in the region, with the children being subjected to inhumane working conditions and receiving meagre wages despite their sacrifices. The police have initiated proceedings to lodge an FIR against the factory’s owners and management, signaling a shift towards accountability and justice for the young victims. The BBA’s relentless efforts in partnership with the NCPCR have been instrumental in uncovering such egregious violations of child rights, prompting a more vigilant stance against exploitative practices in the industry. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in eradicating child labour and underscores the urgent need for robust enforcement mechanisms to safeguard vulnerable children from such exploitation.
