The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Child labourer rescued

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 06, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Child labourer rescued

Sahana Charan

Devika was allegedly beaten up by her employers

Bangalore: Even as domestic labour will soon be considered a hazardous sector under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, through a Government notice that will come into effect on October 10, many children are still used as domestic help and face constant torture.

Such was the case with 14-year-old Devika, from Kanakapura, who was allegedly beaten up by her employers at their Chandra Layout residence, accusing her of theft. The BOSCO Childline team, along with the police, rescued the girl after a child activist reported the matter to them and she was taken to a hospital for check-up. "She has been beaten up badly. Medical examination showed that the wounds are very deep," Fr. P.S. George of BOSCO said. He said the child's employers had taken the girl to her native place to "investigate" the matter and her parents got panicky. "Even though they approached the police at that time, the response was not very favourable. Later, we filed a complaint with the Chandra Layout police station and an FIR was registered," Fr. George said.

Devika was produced before the Child Welfare Committee, Bangalore Urban district, on Monday, where she gave a detailed description of the ill-treatment she faced at the hands of her employers.

According to the CWC, the parents were also summoned to the hearing and their statements have been recorded.

"We have initiated proceedings in the case and asked for a report by the Government probationary officer. We have also summoned the employers of the girl," said Nina Nayak, Chairperson of the CWC. Deputy Commissioner of Bangalore (Urban) M.A. Sadiq, has said in a press release that the provisions of the Child Labour Act, banning employing of children as domestic help and in restaurants, hotels and resorts, was being implemented in Karnataka.

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