Telangana Police Rescued 3,178 Children Under Operation Smile

Telangana police has rescued 3178 children including 277 girls during Operation Smile-VII carried out across the State from January 1.

Of the total children rescued, 2373 were identified from Telangana while 805 from other states such as UP, Bihar, MP, Rajasthan and Jharkhand. The police reunited 2,188 children with their parents and 990 children were sent to the rescue homes.

Most of these children were engaged in child labour or were put into begging on the streets. However, during the month-long drive to trace missing children, the state police was able to rescue 3178 children.

Also, 630 children were found as bonded labourers, 147 were working in brick kilns, 116 were seeking alms, 717 were moving on the streets, and 1,768 rescued children were working at various places.

Telangana police arrested 442 people and registered 380 cases under various Sections of laws including Child Labour Act, Bonded Labour Act and Juvenile Justice Act.

The successful month-long drive was conducted in coordination with the government departments and adhering to the guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs.