Child labour loses two fingers in quarry mishap

KARIMNAGAR: Despite the district administration’s anti-child labour drive launched recently, children are continued to be employed as workers in many factories and industrial units in Karimnagar district.And this is evident in the fact that a 15-year-old boy working at a granite quarry reportedly lost two fingers on his left hand in an accident at the workplace.The incident occurred two days ago but it came to light only today.The management of the quarry secretly shifted the boy, Laxman, to an orthopaedic hospital near the government hospital lane in Karimnagar town for surgery. Laxman has been discharged from the hospital, his relative, Jagadish, said.It is suspected that the accident might have occurred due to negligence of the management in taking safety precautions.Laxman’s is not a lone case. There are many more children working in granite quarries due to family problems.According to reliable sources, Laxman, along with family members, migrated from Malkangiri in Orissa to Karimnagar district in search of a livelihood.They have been working in a quarry at Baopet in Karimnagar mandal for the last one year.The district officials have been focusing on eradicating child labour in brick kilns, granite quarries and hotels.