Keonjhar: Even as child trafficking is going on in certain remote pockets of this district, the labour department officials rescued 28 children belonging to the Bhuyan tribe, who were being taken outside the state for engagement in labour Tuesday. A middleman was detained in this connection.
All the children belong to Uparabirikala and Lungijhar villages under Bansapal block. Of them, 17 were girls.
It was learnt that for lack of earning opportunities, they were going to work outside the state. Officials of the labour department got to know of the incident and raided two buses carry them.
District labour officer AK Pradhan said, “The rescued children will be produced before the child welfare committee. Their age and where they were heading to will be investigated. An agent was detained.”
Reports said a large number of Bhuyan and Juanga people of Bansapal block migrate to other states in search of work because they fail to get earning opportunities here. Most of them end up being exploited and tortured. It is alleged that such incidents go unreported while the administration merely acts on some complaints.
Social activists working for child welfare and protection observed that tribal children are lured on various promises and trafficked outside. The administration should take special steps to check such labour trafficking.
The administration needs to undertake massive awareness drives and ensure that tribal children are admitted to schools, the activists said, adding there is a need for stern action against agents engaged in child trafficking.
PNN