Even as doctors in SCB Medical College Hospital, Cuttack are struggling to heal the fractured and infected arm of tortured child labourer from Bolangir, State Human Rights Commission has asked different government departments to submit separate status report on his treatment and rehabilitation.
Human rights activist Biswapriya Kanungo and Right To Information activist Bijay Kumar Panda had moved the SHRC drawing commission’s attention on plight of the child labourer, who was tortured in a brick kiln in Karnataka.
One Susant Kumbhar, aged 10, had migrated along with parents Santosh Kumbhar and Bhanumati Kumbhar from Kadalimunda village of Bolangir district to work in a brick kiln of Gulbarga district of Karnataka during October last. Sushant stopped working in the brick-kiln due to conflict over payment of work advances.
It enraged the brick-kiln manufacturer who hit the boy with an iron rod.
Serious fractureThe boy had suffered serious fracture in his left arm. Somehow, he was rescued from the brick kiln. However, the arm became infected due to want of immediate treatment.
The plight of the child labourer had evoked huge public reaction back home.
Taking cognizance of the complaint, SHRC chairperson Justice Bira Kishore Mishra has directed State Labour and Employment Secretary to submit a detailed report on the issue within four weeks. District magistrate of Bolangir was asked to explore possibilities to compensate the child labourer and his family members from the existing welfare schemes.
Bolangir Superintendent of Police was asked to conduct an inquiry and submit action taken report within four weeks. Moreover, superintendent of SCB Medical College Hospital, where the boy was recuperating, was asked to give a status report on treatment.
Petitioners had sought adequate compensation for the child labourer and his family members, rehabilitation of the family and action against labour agents and brick kiln manufacturer for heinous act. The commission would hear the matter on April 22 next.
