Dimapur: The Kohima District Task Force (DTF) on Child Labour has launched the Pan-India Rescue and Rehabilitation Campaign 4.0, with an awareness drive across schools in the district from August 24 to 28.
The campaign is part of a nationwide initiative of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and focuses on child labour, child rights and the importance of education.
As of Tuesday, the awareness programme had covered Government Middle School (GMS) L. Khel, GMS P. Khel, GMS Merhulietsa and GMS New Minister’s Hill, reaching students and teachers. The DTF will continue the drive in more schools during the campaign period.
The programme highlighted provisions of the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, including the prohibition of employment of children below 14 years and adolescents aged 14 to 18 years in hazardous occupations and processes.
Participants were also briefed on penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for employers who violate the Act.
Teachers were asked to monitor school attendance and report cases in which a child remains absent for 15 consecutive days to the concerned authorities for timely intervention.
Following the awareness drive, the DTF will conduct inspections and rescue operations to identify children and adolescents engaged in prohibited employment and facilitate rehabilitation and follow-up action.
The DTF also urged schools, parents, communities and the public to report suspected cases of child labour.