Operation Smile rescues 581 children in just a year

Serilingampally: The first anniversary celebrations of the 'Operation Smile' progamme, which was intended to protect children and taken up by the Cyberabad police, were organised at the Commissioner's office in Gachibowli. Commissioner of Police V C Sajjanar, SHE team in-charge DCP Anasuya, Madhapur Traffic DCP Vijaykumar and CWC Chairperson Padmavathi attended the programme.

Addressing the function, Sajjanar stated that the main aim of the programme was to free children aged below 14 years involved in begging, working in factories, rag-picking, liberating bonded labour and to educate them. He revealed that 581 children found begging, collecting garbage at main centres, temples, tourist places, railway stations and also those in factories were freed and sent to schools with the cooperation of the State government and NGOs. 'This is laudable', the CP remarked.

Sajjanar asserted that Cyberabad would be rendered a child labour-free zone. He stated that three Operation Smile teams in Cyberabad would register cases against those employing children and take stringent action against them. The CP urged colony welfare/residential welfare associations to provide information regarding child labour to the police. If not, he warned that action would be taken against the associations if they fail. Sajjanar stated that the Cyberabad police were striving every day to ensure safety of women and children. He complimented all those cooperating with the Operation Smile programme.