Bangalore: In a raid conducted by the Central Crime Branch in Bangalore city around 30 children employed as child laborers in various leather bag manufacturing units have been rescued.

The raid was conducted late evening on Thursday October 18, while the police have arrested four persons for employing the children.

The arrested have been identified as Mohammed Riyaz Ul Hak, 33 of DJ Halli in Bangalore, Rizwan Alam, 41, Sharif Alam, 28 and Mohammed Ansar Shekh, 50, all three being natives of Bihar.

The CCB police conducted simultaneous raids on several bag manufacturing units with the help of officials from the labor, health and revenue departments.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Abhishek Goyal said that Rizwan, Sharif and Mohammed used to bring the children from Bihar and Nepal for employment in leather bag manufacturing units. Majority of children were less than 14 years of age, he said.

Adding to the details he said, “The children worked from 9 am to 9 pm every day. They used to pay between Rs 2,000 to Rs 6,000 depending on work experience. Their salary used to be deposited into the bank accounts of their parents while some of them were paid in  advance,” Goyal said.

The children were threatened that they would be beaten up if they tried to escape from the manufacturing units, the police said.

Speaking to the Commissioner of police (crime) Hemanth Nimbalkar, confirmed the report,  and said that,  three cases were registered under the provision of section 370 (trafficking) IPC and various sections of the Juvenile Justice Act, Bonded Labor Act, Child Labor Act and Shops and Establishment Act, against the culprits.