NEW DELHI: Seventy-eight children forced to work under inhuman conditions in embroidery units at Sarai Kale Khan in South Delhi were rescued by a non-government organisation, Bandhua Mukti Morcha (BMM), on Monday. One person has been detained.

According to BMM president Swami Agnivesh, the operation was carried out in coordination with the area Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Sonika Singh, and the local police. Raids were conducted at four buildings in Sarai Kale Khan where embroidery units were being run. "In all, 78 children have been rescued," said Swami Agnivesh. The children, who are between eight and four years, used to work 14 to 16 hours every day and lived in an unhygienic atmosphere. Swami Agnivesh said the children were rescued under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. "Other provisions do not provide for compensations to the victims of child labour," he said.

About two months ago the NGO had rescued 55 children from East of Kailash in South Delhi under the same Act. The organisation made sure that the victims got monetary support on a monthly basis and were rehabilitated properly. "In operations carried out by others, the children are rescued under other legal provisions due to which they are not rehabilitated properly," said BMM's national secretary Manoj Kumar Singh.

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