A 10-year-old boy engaged to graze goats was rescued from bonded labour by a team of officials near Orathanadu in Thanjavur district on Friday.
The rescued boy belonging to Panruti in Cuddalore district has been temporarily accommodated in a hostel in Thanjavur by the Child Welfare Committee.
Acting on information, a team comprising of Child Line and revenue officials went to Parangivettikaadu village and rescued the boy on Friday evening. The boy’s father was no more and his mother had reportedly handed over her son to Jayakumar hailing from Ramanathapuram district after accepting ₹10,000. Jayakumar had been staying at Kakkarai village in Thanjavur district.
Officials said it came to light during inquiry that the boy was made to graze goats belonging to Jayakumar for the past one month. Following the minor’s rescue, the Revenue Divisional Officer, Thanjavur C. Suresh issued the Relief Certificate.
Meanwhile, the Pappanadu Police in Thanjavur district arrested Jayakumar, 39, and booked a case against him under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act and the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act.