Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: Authorities in Dibrugarh rescued several children from commercial establishments on Friday during an operation led by the Assam Centre for Rural Development (ACRD), local police, and the district administration. The coordinated effort coincides with the World Day Against Child Labour and supports the state government's campaign to conduct inspections throughout June.
Rescued children had been working for months under hazardous conditions marked by long hours and poor pay. Following the intervention, officials began legal proceedings against the employers and started processes to ensure the children receive rehabilitation and legal compensation. This initiative is part of a broader crackdown on child labour and trafficking across Assam.
The ACRD operates as a partner of Just Rights for Children, a national network of over 250 organizations. Between April 2023 and March 2026, the network's intelligence-sharing system facilitated the rescue of more than 145,000 children from trafficking and exploitative labour nationwide.
Reflecting on the mission, the director of the ACRD stated, "Every child rescued from labour is a child whose right to education, safety, and dignity is restored. Child labour deprives children of their childhood and fundamental rights and must be addressed with the utmost urgency. No child belongs in a workplace; every child belongs in school."
Beyond the rescue operations, the NGO held community awareness programs involving villagers, law enforcement, and government officials. Authorities remain on high alert to identify human trafficking networks, which frequently serve as a primary pipeline for child labour.
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