15713 children rescued in Rayagada

KORAPUT: A total of 13 children, including nine girls, were rescued from a bus at Rayagada on Wednesday night. They were reportedly being taken to Balugaon in Khurda district by an agent to be engaged as labourers.
Officials said the children aged between 15 and 16 years belong to Bijayapur village under Khajuriguda panchayat in Kalahandi district. The agent, however, managed to escape.
"The agent had promised them jobs at a construction site. He brought the children to Kalyansinghpur in the district, where they boarded a bus for Rayagada," said district labour officer (Rayagada) Narendra Raika.
The district administration rescued them from a Bhubaneswar-bound bus following a tip-off by members of Child Line, a voluntary organization. "The children were handed over to district child welfare committee. They are being kept in two short stay homes," said Raika.
"Since the children belong to Kalahandi, we have informed our counterparts to facilitate their return to the village," he added.