4 held for using child labourers

PUNE: Four small-time businessmen were arrested in Yerawada on Wednesday for allegedly using children as labourers. Among the arrested, two are garage owners and two restaurateurs.
The raids were carried out by the labour commissionerate, Shivajinagar with police assistance.
According to police, Moharam Ali Sikandar Khan, Abu Supiyan Munsot Alikhan, both from Laxminagar, Darbar Bakery, Yerawada, Gurupratap Singh Indersingh Khanduja of Nana Peth and Taransingh Harbhajansingh of Jay Jawannagar, Yerawada, have been arrested.
The accused had employed six children, of which four are below 14 year of age and remaining in the age group of 14 to 16 years.
"These children hail from very poor families and are deprived of education. Cases have been registered under sections 370 and 374 of the IPC," said M.G. Dangade, assistant police inspector.
Ravindra Pardeshi, assistant labour commissioner said, "Along with the police department, the labour commissionerate has visited 106 places in the city, where we found six children, employed at hotels and garages. Pratham, a non governmental had given information about these child labours. Members of the NGO were also present during the raids."
He said action under section 3 of the child labour Act would be initiated on the arrested persons. "The children would be sent to remand home," he added.