14-year-old girl rescued from child labour in Ranga Reddy district

Hyderabad: The Balala Hakkula Sangham along with officials from the Childline, in a joint operation, rescued a 14-year-old girl working as a child labour in a retired government officer’s house in Ranga Reddy district.

Police arrested K Bheem Reddy. On Monday morning, the Sangham members along with district child protection officer A Devendra Chary and Childline officials conducted raids on the residence of Bheem Reddy, a retired government engineer and president of the Engineer’s Colony Association in Vanasthalipuram.

They found a 14-year-old girl working in his house for the past six months. Bheem Reddy had paid Rs 20,000 to the girl’s parents for sending her to work. The girl, a native of Wanaparthy, said her employer’s wife, Jalaja, forced her to work without any rest and would beat her severely whenever she asked permission to go to her mother. The girl also said she wanted to study well and become a doctor and serve the society. The girl was rescued and shifted to a rescue home in Nimboli Adda.

Meanwhile, the Balala Hakkula Sangham blamed the labour department for its casual and negligent attitude in rescuing the girl.

“Though we informed them a day in advance and requested them to come for the rescue operation, they said they were busy with the May Day celebrations. This attitude should be condemned.’ Balala Hakkula Sangham president Anuradha Rao said.

Meanwhile, based on a complaint from the child welfare department, Vanasthalipuram police registered a case and arrested Bheem Reddy.