3 trafficked children rescued in Assam

Hailakandi: Three children, allegedly trafficked and confined as bonded laboures, were rescued in a joint operation from three establishments in Assam’s Hailakandi district.

Acting on a tip-off that the minors were employed as child labourers, searches were conducted by the Labour Department, local police, and Childline and Child Welfare Committee, following which the children suspected to be aged below 14 years, were rescued, District Labour Officer Alimuddin Barbhuiya said today.

The employers have been asked to provide documents to prove age of the children, rescued yesterday.

“We are also looking into the need to subject the children to age-determination test. If the children are found to be younger than 14 years, we shall file cases against the employers under Section 67 of The Factories Act 1948 which provides for a fine upto Rs two lakh and jail term extending to two years for employing children below 14 years of age, Barbhuiya said.

The boys were produced before the District Child Protection Society and presently under its custody.