A team of officials led by District Child Protection Officer Somalatha and officials of Women and Child Welfare Department yesterday raided a restaurant in front of Mysore Zoo and rescued six child labourers who were found working there.

Deputy Director of Women and Child Welfare Department N.R.Vijay reportedly said that the raid was conducted on Mysore Refreshments based on information that the restaurant had employed child labourers and added that the six rescued boys were below the age of 18 and have been sent to Observation Home at Kuvempunagar in city.

He further said that the boys would be produced before the Child Welfare Committee on Saturday for verification.

Meanwhile, Somalatha said that the six boys who were among the eight boys working in the restaurant were below the age of 18 and hence were rescued under Juvenile Justice Act. Their marks cards and other documents were referred and it came to light that they were below the age of 18 and added that the case would be referred to Child Welfare Committee (CWC) which would take care of the boys rescued and issue show cause notice to the hotel owner.

When the situation was taking a serious turn as Hotel Owners Association President Rajendra and others resisted the officials action, Somalatha reportedly called Deputy Commissioner Dr. Ramegowda over the phone who in turn directed the Police to send additional force to control the situation.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore