Click to play videoHyderabad: It has been less than a month since the Child Labour Act came into force but incidents of children working as domestic help are increasingly being reported in Andhra Pradesh. Nearly 1,500 employers have been booked in the state since then.
In the latest case, the police have rescued a 10-year-old girl, Niloufer, from Hyderabad. She was reportedly working as domestic help in a government officer's house and was being beaten up regularly.
"They beat me up and made me do all the house work," says Niloufer. However, the girl's employer has denied the charges.
Forlorn and scared, Niloufer has been living a nightmare ever since she came to Hyderabad from Warangal. While children her age went to school, Niloufer worked as a domestic help.
For two months she worked at the residence of Deputy Director of the State Information and Broadcasting Ministry B Rashid before she was rescued.
The police have registered a case against Rashid for employing a minor.
"We have registered a case. We are told that the girl was beaten up also. The law will take its course, no matter who it is, we'll take action," Investigating Officer, Hyderabad Police, K Balakrishna says.
Rashid says, Niloufer came from a relative's house and was well taken care of. "She is an orphan and my mother-in-law is alone. My mother-in-law took responsibility of the girl so she can have a better life in future," Rashid says.
Meanwhile, M V Foundation, the NGO that rescued Niloufer on a tip-off, is hoping that action is taken soon.
"Such an incident should be taken seriously. People who encourage this and employ children, whoever it may be, should be penalised," legal head of M V foundation, Rahimuddin, says.
Niloufer's case highlights how people are still insensitive to the issue of child labour. But for Niloufer, going back home to Warangal is not an option. She is scared her mother will send her back to work. So for now, she will be staying at a shelter for young girls.
CHILD LABOUR IN ANDHRA PRADESH |
 After the Child Labour Act came to force on October 10, seven children working as domestic help have been rescued in Hyderabad |
| Over 1,500 cases have been booked against employers in hotels and eateries who employ underage children. |
| The Andhra State Labour Department has identified 20,000 children working as labours so far. |
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