Child labour rescues in Kalimpong

Kalimpong,Mukesh Sharma: On 15th July 2013, Darjeeling CHILDLINE Sub-centre Kalimpong received information of a 12 year old girl child named Nimkit Lepcha* who was being employed as a domestic worker in the house of Mrs. Sona Doma Lama (Poonam), a government teacher & resident of B.L. Dixit Road, Kalimpong. To verify the information, CHILDLINE team visited the school where the child is studying and met her. According to the child’s statement, she was brought to that house when she was 5 year old. She is from Pemling, a remote village under Kalimpong Sub-division. Her employer’s had promised that they will enrol her in school. Nimkit had to attend school as well as work in that house. Employer’s used to verbally as well as physically abuse her. CHILDLINE team saw that there were visible marks all over her face and hand. As per the school record, the child’s attendance is very low comparatively to other children and her performance is very poor.
On 17th July 2013 at 4.15 p.m. Tej Kumar Thapa, Child Release Officer of BSA along with Sub-Inspector Bablu Roy and Romah Rai, Tirtha Gurung & Kumar Thapa from CHILDLINE Kalimpong went to the employer’s house and rescued the child.
The child was brought to Kalimpong Police Station. Immediately, Inspector-in-charge ordered to take the child for medical check up since there were visible scar on her face & other parts of the body. Medical report is still pending. But the doctor has confirmed that those marks were caused by physically beating and have written it down.
In connection with The Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act 1986 & Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection) Act 2000, First Information Report (FIR) was immediately lodged against the employer.
The case was also informed to Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Darjeeling who has order Bal Suraksha Abhiyan Trust (BSA), Child Labour Rehabilitation Centre, 8th Mile to provide temporary shelter to the child.