Nine Children Freed From Child Labour in UP, Legal Proceedings Launched Against Seven

Nine children allegedly engaged in labour at various commercial establishments were rescued in Uttar Pradesh's Nanpara tehsil during a special anti-child labour drive on Thursday, officials said.

The drive was conducted on the directions of District Magistrate Akchay Tripathi. A joint team comprising officials from the revenue and labour departments, police, the District Child Protection Unit and an NGO carried out surprise inspections at auto service centres, welding workshops, provision stores, garment shops and other commercial establishments.

The inspections were conducted along Shivpur Road, Bypass Chauraha and in major markets across Nanpara town. During the operation, nine children found engaged in labour were rescued, while notices were issued to the concerned employers.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Monalisa Johri said legal proceedings had been initiated against the owners of seven establishments under the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, as amended in 2016.

Authorities also conducted an awareness campaign during the drive, sensitising traders and members of the public about child labour laws. They were informed that employing children below the age of 14 is prohibited, while employing adolescents aged between 14 and 18 years in hazardous occupations is a punishable offence.

Johri appealed to traders not to employ children and urged them to ensure that children attend school instead. She said the administration's objective was not limited to enforcing the law but also to ensure that every child receives education, protection and a dignified childhood.

The SDM added that similar drives against child labour would continue in the future.