Fifty-four boys from Bihar were rescued from six bangle-making units in Shaheen Nagar and Osman Nagar of Balapur here on Saturday.
Balapur police of Rachakonda said the children, all aged between 9 and 14, were making stone-embedded bangles in small houses in the area. Acting on a tip-off, the police surrounded the premises and conducted raids to rescue the children from the illegally operating unit. By the time police reached the spot, the employers sped away and teams were formed to nab them.
“All of them were brought from Purnea and Nalanda district in Bihar after striking a deal with their parents,” said inspector V Saidulu.
The children aged below 10 were paid ₹1,500 per month and the ₹2,000 ‘salary’ of kids aged between 10 and 12 years were given directly to their parents. All above 12 years were paid ₹2,500 per month.
Cases under Section 3 and 13 of the Child Labour Act and Juvenile Justice Act have been registered against the house-cum-factory unit owners, who are absconding. Rachakonda police, who sent the children to a rescue home in Saidabad, is are likely to book cases against the parents too.
