‘Child in Street Situation’ drive: Authorities ‘rescue’ 18 working children in Budgam

Budgam, Aug 24: The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) Budgam along with the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) Budgam conducted a Child in Street Situation (CISS) drive in the main town here on Thursday.
During the drive, 18 children were found working in various shops. They were “rescued” by the CWC Budgam and DCPU Budgam.
Afshan Paul, Chairperson of the Children Welfare Committee (CWC) Budgam, told Rising Kashmir that during this drive, 18 children, who were working in the mechanic shops, saloons, tea stalls, and normal shops, were “rescued” on the spot. Among them, three non-local girls were begging, she said.
The chairperson said that the employers and guardians were made to realise the rights of children and the undertakings were received from them to ensure the education and rehabilitation of such children and not to further employ them in such establishments.
“The owners of the shopkeepers and these 18 children were brought to the Child Welfare Committee office in Budgam where on-the-spot counselling was done,” she said, adding, “We are going to provide further counselling to these children so that such activities are stopped.”
The drive was carried out by the Child Welfare Committee Budgam under the supervision of DCPO Ubaid-ul-Khazir, along with Police Station Budgam, Juvenile police unit Budgam, and anti-human trafficking Budgam.