Child Safety / Dhenkanal Launches Crackdown on Child Labour, Rescued Children to Return to Schools

Dhenkanal, Oct 1: Dhenkanal district administration has launched a stringent campaign to eradicate child labour, conducting surprise raids across hotels, dhabas, garages, shops, and other establishments.

The district‑level special task force, comprising officials from the labour department, child protection unit, police, and Childline, carried out inspections in multiple blocks.

During the raids, two child labourers and three adolescent workers were rescued. In Gandia block, one child labourer was identified, while in Odapada block, one child and three adolescents were rescued.

Also read: 26-Year-Old Woman Alleges Rape at Gunpoint in Bhubaneswar, Probe Underway

In contrast, raids across 22 establishments in Parjang block and 14 in Kamakhyanagar block did not reveal any child labour cases.

Rescued children were presented before the District Child Welfare Committee, where arrangements were made for medical check‑ups, counselling, and safe shelter. Authorities are also facilitating their re‑enrolment in schools to reintegrate them into mainstream education.

The administration has warned establishment owners against employing child labourers and distributed awareness leaflets. Officials stressed that the campaign will continue until child labour is completely eliminated from the district.

Citizens have been urged to report any instances of child labour immediately to the labour department’s toll‑free number 155368 or Childline 1098, ensuring community participation in making Dhenkanal child‑labour free.