Mukesh Sharma

Kalimpong, March 16th

One child labour was rescued by the Bal Suraksha Abhiyan (BSA)  NGO of Kalimpong. The team of BSA had conducted raids at the hotels of Malli under Malli out post along NH 10 today. Acting on a source information received on the Child line helpline 1098, the workers of BSA conducted the operation with the help of a Police team from Malii outpost , Malli. Tej Kumar Thapa (Child Protection Officer), Bal Suraksha Abhiyan Trust, informed that  BSA have lodged a FIR against Anand Moktan, the employer of  Peyzangpo Aish hotel at Melli Bazar. He added that acting on the tip of the information the CHILD LINE team along with the Bal Suraksha Abhiyan Trust (BSA) staff conducted the secret survey and confirmed the received information after which today BSA and CHIDLINE Team with the support of Melli Police rescued the minor child of 10 year old who was found cleaning the floor at the time of raid. According to the child he was working there in the hotel as well as house of the employer since few months. He stated that he has to wash dishes, sweep and mop floors at the employer’s house and hotel.

An FIR was lodged today against the hotel owner/employer Mr. Anand Moktan under Juvenile Justice Act 2000 and Child Labour (Prohibition and regulation) Act 1986.

After the rescue, the child has been sent to BSA Child Labour Rehabilitation Centre through verbal orders from Child Welfare Committee, Darjeeling.

The search comprised of Mr. Tej Kumar Thapa, Child Protection Officer, BSA, Miss Romah Rai CHILDLINE team member, Mr. Bikram Mukhia, Field worker, Teesta Gram Panchayat, BSA , three interns under BSA from Vidyasagar School of Social Work as well as Melli Police.