35 bonded child labourers rescued

Thirty-five child labourers from Bihar and Jharkhand were today rescued from various zari industries in the national capital by the police with the help of an NGO.

All the child labourers were 10-14 years old and were trafficked from Bihar and Jharkhand with a promise of a better future, officials said.

The children, who were working in Khurjikhaad Parwana road area of New Delhi, were rescued by the police with the help of volunteers of Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA).

"My father was in heavy debt. My uncle gave my father Rs500 and said that your son will study in a madrasa and will help him in some minor work so that we are able to pay back the debt," said 10-year-old Kamal.

The child also informed that he was made to work for 12-13 hours daily.

"Children were kept in the most inhuman conditions. All the children were working in poorly-lit and ventilated rooms in scorching heat," RS Chaurasia, chairperson of Bachpan Bachao Andolan, said.

Radha Charan, sub-divisional magistrate of Preet Vihar, said the children were bonded labourers and hence they will be entitled to a rehabilitation package of Rs20,000 as per norms.