Child labourers being used in coal pilferage

ASCPCR alerts Tinsukia administration about reports

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Following a recent directive to the Tinsukia district administration from the Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR), the Task Force Group of Child Labour, Tinsukia has launched a campaign against the use of child labour and rescued an 11-year-old boy. An FIR has been lodged against the employer of the rescued child labourer at the Margherita Police Station.

The ASCPCR had issued its directive after credible reports emerged that many persons in the Tinsukia district, including those involved in the illegal coal trade, are engaging children in the 10-13 age group to perform various works. These children are mainly school drop-outs.

Sources said that even coal thieves are utilizing school drop-outs to carry coal from illegal coal mining sites in Margherita. Most of these children belong to the Adivasi community. They had left school after Class VIII and are now working in Tirap, Tikak, Ledo No 6 line, Paharpur and Bargolai coal mining areas for lump-sum salaries, the sources added.

Although it is illegal for any child below 14 years of age to be engaged in any work as per the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, the sources said that coal thieves hired child labourers to carry coal bags that were stolen from coal mining sites.

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