Mangaluru: 10 child labourers rescued in raid on fish cutting unit

Mangaluru: 10 child labourers rescued in raid on fish cutting unit

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Sep 24, 2025: The Labour Department and Police conducted a joint raid on a fish cutting unit in the Baikampady industrial area and rescued 10 child/adolescent labourers. The action was taken following public complaints. The rescued children were identified as natives of Bihar and Nepal.

The operation was led by Assistant Labour Commissioner Nazia Sultana, Labour Officer Kumar B.R, Senior Labour Inspector Rajashekar Reddy, Project Director Srinivas Nayak of the District Child Labour Project, along with officials from Panambur Police Station.

The rescued children were produced before the Child Welfare Committee and later rehabilitated at Shantinagar Girls’ Home in Kavoor.

Officials stressed that child labour is a serious social evil. Under the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986, employing children below 14 years is strictly prohibited. Engaging adolescents (15–18 years) in hazardous industries is also banned, while their employment in non-hazardous units is regulated.

Violators face penalties of up to ₹50,000 and imprisonment of up to two years. An FIR has also been filed against the owners of the unit.

Authorities urged the public to report instances of child or adolescent labour by calling Childline 1098, the Labour Department numbers 0824-2435343, 2433132, 2437479, or the District Child Labour Project at 2433131.