800 Child Labourers Rescued Across Karnataka in Statewide Police Drive
The operation was launched days after Chief Minister D K Shivakumar spotted children working at Bengaluru’s APMC market.
Karnataka Police rescued at least 800 children from child labour during a statewide surprise operation on Saturday, officials said.
The action came just days after Chief Minister D K Shivakumar visited the APMC market in Bengaluru and noticed children working there. Following his visit, 29 children were rescued from the market.
The latest operation was carried out across all 962 police station limits in Karnataka as authorities stepped up efforts to identify and rescue children engaged in labour.
Bengaluru recorded the highest number of rescues, with 503 children found and taken into care, according to official sources.
Vijayapura reported the second highest number, with 72 children rescued. This was followed by Tumakuru with 33, Koppal with 27 and Kalaburagi with 22.
Police also rescued 15 children in Ballari and 13 in Mysuru.
The statewide operation highlights the scale of the child labour issue in Karnataka and comes amid renewed attention from the state government following the Chief Minister’s visit to the Bengaluru market.
Authorities are expected to continue monitoring workplaces and commercial areas to identify children who may be engaged in labour and ensure they receive appropriate support and protection.