HYDERABAD: Days after 54 children were rescued from five bangle manufacturing units in Balapur, Rachakonda police on Tuesday arrested seven people for exploiting children and turning them into
child labour.
Police arrested Mohammed Aslam, 50, his sons Mohammed Asgar, 18, and Mohammed Naseem Akram, 22, along with their associates Mohammad Ahshan, 22, Shaik Mohammed Riyaz, 30, Shaik Habeeb, 66, and Mohammad Musleem, 36, all residents of Shaheennagar.
Apart from exploiting the children, they would oversee their work at the bangle units.
Aslam along with his absconding associates Feroz Alam, Anwarul, Munawar and Inthikab had procured the children from
Bihar by paying money to their parents. The victims were brought to Hyderabad and were made to work from 6am to 11pm in bangle units.
“They were not even provided proper accommodation, which was bereft of basic amenities. The children, in the age-group of 9-14 years, were kept in a congested room,” an officer said. The children were confined to a rented house and not allowed to move freely or go out. “They would lock the house from outside. They had procured the children by paying money to the parents, taking advantage of their financial problems,” the officer said.
Rachakonda police had rescued 176 child workers between July 1 and July 15 and booked 17 cases against 31 accused. Of the rescued children, 118 were found to be from other states.