Operation Muskan rescues 328 child labourers in erstwhile Adilabad

Operation Muskan 2025 rescued 328 child labourers across the erstwhile Adilabad district, with the highest in Mancherial. The month-long drive involved multiple departments and NGOs, leading to legal action against employers and school enrolment of rescued children.

Adilabad: Over 300 children forced into labour were rescued across the erstwhile Adilabad district during the recently concluded ‘Operation Muskan’, enabling them to return to school and regain their childhood.

Officials said a total of 328 children were rescued under the month-long drive held from July 1 to 31. Of these, Mancherial district accounted for the highest with 122 children, followed by Adilabad (93), Nirmal (65), and Kumram Bheem Asifabad (48).

---

The rescue operation was carried out under the aegis of the Women Development and Child Welfare department, with support from police, district child protection units, labour, education and health departments, and non-governmental organisations. Joint teams conducted surprise inspections at eateries, brick kilns, fruit shops, construction sites and other establishments, rescuing minors from exploitative conditions.

Awareness campaigns were also held during the drive to sensitise employers and parents about the legal and social consequences of child labour.

Police officials said the rescued children were handed over to their parents after counselling. Legal action has been initiated against establishments found employing children at meagre wages and under exploitative conditions. Many of the rescued children hailed from other states including Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.

Officials added that over 7,000 children have been rescued from across the undivided Adilabad district through eight editions of Operation Smile between 2017 and July 2025. While many were repatriated to their native states, orphaned and destitute children, as well as those with special needs, were admitted to state-run Homes.

Each Assembly constituency saw a special team of seven members, including four police constables, identify and rescue child labourers during the month-long campaign. These teams also counselled families and ensured the children were enrolled in school. Cases were booked against small-time eateries, bakeries, fruit vendors and other businesses for employing minors.

The State launched Operation Muskan in 2017 as part of a twin campaign, Operation Smile in January and Operation Muskan in July, to eradicate child labour. The initiative is led by the Women Development and Child Welfare department in coordination with police, labour officials and voluntary organisations.

Operation Smile & Muskan 2025 – Child Rescues in Erstwhile Adilabad

District Operation Smile Operation Muskan

• Mancherial 74 122
• Adilabad 68 93
• Nirmal 68 65
• Asifabad 48 48
• Total 258 328

Gender-wise Rescues (Operation Muskan 2025)

• Mancherial: 55 boys, 19 girls
• Adilabad: 86 boys, 7 girls
• Nirmal: 59 boys, 6 girls
• Asifabad: 47 boys, 1 girl