Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Nov 27: A child labourer, working in an apartment in Attavar in the city, was rescued by the Child Welfare Committee here, with the assistance of the officials of the labour department, Childline, department of education and the women police personnel.

Flat No.801, located in the third block of the apartment complex, ‘Casa Grande’ in Attavar, where the eight year old boy, Zakaulla was working, was raided by the officials on Thursday November 26. The raid was conducted as per the information collected by the Child Welfare Committee from certain sources.

Zakaulla, eldest child of the four children of Sattar and Razia, residing in Dharam Kanta in Bhadravati in Shimoga district, had been working for Abdul Rahiman, owner of the apartment in question, since the last three months. The boy informed the investigating officials and the pressmen present, that he used to sweep the floor, wash the utensils and clothes, and bring provisions, vegetables and other items from shops. He said he was not aware how much he earns, as his salary is collected directly by his father.

The boy also revealed that he had studied up to the third standard in a government school in Bhadravati. But it transpired that he does not know how to read and write. As he could not even sign, his thumb impression had to be obtained on his statement. He does not know his birth date, and can converse only in Hindi and Urdu, it was found. Zakaulla said that his father is a cooly by profession, and that he has two sisters, Madina and Shabana. His younger brother, Sadat Ali, studies in a Madrassa, he revealed.

Abdul Rahiman was not present when the raid was conducted. Riyaz, son of Rahiman, informed the raiding party that the boy was not employed there and that because of poverty, the boy had been sent here by his parents.

The officials of the department of labour also raided two other apartments in the said complex and found that a girl named Manjula from Bellary had been employed in one of them, for looking after a child. But, the family had admitted the girl to a school. In another house, two boys from Dharam Kanta in Bhadravati were found to be working. As proper records were not available to find out their ages, the family was asked to present them before the Child Welfare Committee, along with relevant records.