Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur

Kundapur, Mar 30: Three child labourers who were engaged in road construction work near Heroor were rescued by the district labour department here on Thursday March 30.

The rescued boys have been identified as Ravi (13), Peer Saab (11) and Sunil (11), all from Sorab taluk in Shimoga.

The boys have been engaged in road construction work for the past six months, and recently got employed in work related to Kundapur-Navunda-Kollur stretch near Heroor.

Based on a complaint from the public, the labour department officials together conducted a raid and took the three children into custody.

The boys were studying in a government school in Shimoga, and had been brought by a contractor on the promise of paying Rs 160 a day. The boys hail from poor families, and hence took up the job. However, they are keen on continuing their education.

Kedoor Spoorthi Dhama's Keshava Koteshwara, Udupi labour officer Ravi Kumar, Kundapur labour officer Jeevan Kumar, Karkala labour officer Ramachandra, and other officials were part of the operation.

A case has been registered against the contractor under the child labour laws.