Child trafficking rampant in Kozhikode

Kozhikode: Child labour confronts the  citizens here everywhere, but   the authorities have failed to take any action to curb it. Children begging in the street, cleaning tables in hotels and  wiping  car windshields at busy traffic junctions for money is a common sight now which was rare five years ago.  

The city has  virtually become a haven for child trafficking agents, who bring in children from poor families in other states and use them to do menial jobs and earn a commission.

Though child labour is banned,  none reports the  violations  to the district authorities. The Child Line and city police had carried out a raid here  last Sunday but returned  empty-handed.

They could not locate any child labour,  proving  official-agent network that provides prior information regarding such raids.

"We raided some places last week but could not locate any violations. We will continue the raids in the city.  Many children are brought to Kozhikode and  engaged in several activities," Ms C.K. Sheeba, Kozhikode district child protection officer, told Deccan Chronicle.

She also requested the people to pass on information regarding child labour and begging so that such children could be rescued.

"The DySP, DCRB is in charge and we are working together to see how these children are reaching Kozhikode," she added.

Mr E.P. Prithwiraj,  DySP DCRB,  said that an investigation was  on to find whether there is an organized gang that brings children from other states to Kozhikode.

"We are trying to find out how these children  reach here, whether they come on their own or any agents bring  them. So far we have no concrete evidence to prove the involvement of agents behind this," he said.