The Labour Department and police conducted a joint raid on a crusher unit near Shiralakoppa in Shikaripur taluk on Monday and rescued two adolescents engaged in hazardous work.

Acting on a call to the child helpline, officials found two children under 18 years of age in violation of the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act. They were taken to the Child Welfare Committee and are currently being sheltered at the Government Children’s Home.

M.P. Venugopal, District Labour Officer of Shivamogga, told The Hindu that the law prohibited engaging children below 14 years of age in any occupation. Similarly, it barred children aged 14 to 18 from hazardous work. “Our officers in Shikaripur rescued the children, who are now in safe shelter. We have initiated the process to file an FIR against the employer,” he said.

As per the rules, the employer is required to pay a corpus fund of ₹20,000 for each rescued child, which the government supplements with ₹15,000. The combined amount is deposited in the children’s names and can be withdrawn with interest once they turn 18. “The children are currently in the Children’s Home, where the CWC will ensure they continue their education,” Mr. Venugopal added.

The Labour Department stated that employing children violates the law and attracts both penalties and imprisonment.