Bengaluru authorities rescue 19 child labourers from APMC market

Authorities rescued 19 child labourers from shops at the Yeshwanthpur APMC market in Bengaluru following directions from Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar. The operation was initiated after the Chief Minister visited the market and was informed by members of the public about the alleged employment of children.

Five special teams, including police and labour inspectors, conducted the operation. The rescued children originated from several states, including Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Karnataka. Specifically, 13 children were from Bihar, two from West Bengal, two from Uttar Pradesh, and one each from Rajasthan and Karnataka.

Police have registered four cases at the RMC Yard Police Station against shop owners under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act and the Juvenile Justice Act. Additionally, five cases were filed under the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986. Separately, 10 children found working on the roadside were rescued and handed over to the Child Welfare Committee in Bengaluru.