Medchal–Malkajgiri,Telangana: In a major humanitarian and law-enforcement initiative, the Malkajgiri Police Commissionerate successfully conducted Operation Smile-XII across the entire commissionerate to trace missing children and rescue minors engaged in child labour and hazardous occupations. The intensive month-long operation carried out in January 2026 resulted in the rescue of 674 children from various workplaces.
Under the programme, seven special divisional teams were formed, each comprising police personnel including women constables, along with the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU). The teams carried out coordinated inspections of factories, companies, business establishments and other workplaces, and produced the rescued children before the concerned Child Welfare Committees (CWC) for care and rehabilitation.
As part of the drive, 186 FIRs were registered and 443 General Diary entries were made against managements and employers under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, and the Juvenile Justice Act. In connection with these cases, 189 accused were arrested for illegally employing minors, forcing them to work for long hours for meagre wages, and violating labour laws.
The rescued children included 376 from Telangana, 102 from Andhra Pradesh, 189 from other states such as Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand, and 7 children from Nepal. Demonstrating a compassionate approach beyond enforcement, the Begumpet Divisional Smile Team facilitated the admission of three rescued children into government schools with the support of the Education Department.
The entire operation was carried out under the supervision of Smt. T. Usha Rani, DCP, Women Safety Wing, Malkajgiri, and was led by Inspector S. Devender of the AHTU along with divisional Operation Smile-XII teams. The police worked in close coordination with the Child Welfare Committee, District Child Protection Unit, Labour Department, Association for Voluntary Action (AVA) and Childline members.
The exemplary efforts of the Malkajgiri Police in rescuing hundreds of vulnerable children and taking firm legal action against offenders have been widely appreciated. The operation underscores the department’s strong commitment to protecting children’s rights and upholding the law. Police have reiterated that child labour is a serious crime and urged citizens to report any such instances by calling 100, 112 or 1098.
Our Citizen Reporter – Telangana
Mr. Bharath Reddy
