Police nab 124 people, rescue 132 kids in Punjab

Business owners have been asked not to involve children in labour

GUJRANWALA: At least 124 people were arrested while 132 children were rescued during a crackdown against child labour in different districts of Punjab in April, police said on Saturday.

A police official told Express News that the police launched a crackdown on construction business owners and managers operating against the Child Labour Act. He added during the course, the police managed to nab 124 individuals involved in child labour.

While revealing details, the official maintained that 41 children had been rescued in Gujranwala, while 53 people were arrested. The police also registered 44 cases against the accused.

Similarly, in Sialkot 58 children were rescued, while 36 people were apprehended and 26 cases were registered against them.

In Gujrat, four children were rescued, seven people were arrested and four cases were registered.

In Mandi Bahauddin, eight children were rescued, four people were arrested and five cases were lodged against them.

In Narowal, 10 kids were rescued, eight people were rounded up and seven cases were registered against them.

In Hafizabad, 11 children were rescued, 16 people were arrested and eight cases were registered against them.

Meanwhile, a higher police official said the arrested individuals deserve no leniency and strict punishment will be awarded to them.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2018.