KOZHIKODE: Child labour is rampant at Sabarimala where children from neighbouring states are employed to sell bangles, dolls and other stuff in stalls and other places. They also live in intolerable conditions along with adults. The Pathanamthitta district child protection unit rescued 12 children during surprise raids conducted under ‘Operation Sarana Balyam’ in a week. “A few of them were sent back home after tracing out the parents who had brought them here,” said DCP officer A.O. Abeen.
The latest inspection was carried out on at Pampa, Nilakkal, Kanamala, Laha areas on Saturday and six children were rescued. “Three of them were school-going. Children hailing from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu were crammed under a roof at Kanamala and Laha along with adults in pitiable conditions,” Abeen said. No children from Kerala have been found so far. Social Justice officials suspect that agents are involved in the ‘deal’ as the same parent appeared for different children after they were caught by the officials.
District police chief Harisankar said that the police would probe the issue if a complaint was filed. According to the Juvenile Justice Act 2015, neglecting/deserting children or engaging them in beggary can attract three to five years’ imprisonment besides fine. The DCPU is planning to put out multi-language awareness boards in the areas to make Sabarimala and peripheries child-friendly.
