Hyderabad: Child Line and Child Protection wings, along with the NGO Balala Hakkula Sangam (BHS), on Wednesday raided Karachi Bakery and a lodge at Moazzamjahi Market and rescued 20 child labourers. A gang employing children as beggars and toy vendors at junctions also came to light during the raids. At New Paradise Lodge, the team identified 12 children who were deputed to beg and sell toys at various junctions in the city.
All the rescued children were identified as natives of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Karnataka. BHS honorary president Achyutha Rao said that besides children, there were a few adults at the lodge who were from various states and were working as bonded labourers. “A mafia is behind the begging and street vending children. The children work from 9.30 am to 10.30 pm without rest, living in poor and unhygienic conditions,” he said.
The teams rescued eight boys from Karachi Bakery. Hyderabad district Child Protection officer Mr Imtyaz Rahim, legal officer Ms Rafia Bhanu, child protection volunteers Ms Ashwini and Ms Srilatha took part in the raids. The rescued children were sent to the state home and a case was filed with the Begum Bazar police.
