46 boys rescued at Dublarchar

Allegedly brought for forced labour

2 November 2009, 17:00 PM

Staff Correspondent, Khulna

Coastguards Friday midnight picked 46 boys from Dublarchar. They brought the boys to Mongla port the next day and lodged them in Chalna Bandar High School rooms. According to sources, these boys were brought from different districts for forced labour at Dublarchar fishermen's colony near the Bay of Bengal. The boys were lured by the promise of handsome payment for working in the colony during this peak season for making 'Shutki' (dried fish). Dublarchar is famous for its export quality dried fish. The coastguards were on special duty to stop forced child labour and resist poaching of deer and tiger since beginning of Raas Mela from October 31 at Dublarchar. Apart from coastguards, Rapid Action Battalion, police and Navy were also put on high alert to maintain law and order and ensure security of life and property of the visitors and devotees. The rescued children will be sent back to their respective guardians with security, police said. Meanwhile, thousands of devotees took 'holy dip' in the sea water near the Bay of Bengal at the time of sunrise yesterday, the concluding day of Raas Mela.