MADURAI: In a stark remainder of the plight of children in the state, five boys were found working in shops and trade outlets in Madurai on World Day for Child Labour Eradication. The children were found during a raid conducted across Madurai on the instructions of

Anshul Mishra. Though the raiding officials found as many as 14 boys working in the shops and trade outlets, only five were found to be below 14 years of age. The boys were rescued and legal action was initiated against the employers.

"The boys were forced to work apparently due to poverty. But the employers were giving them a paltry pay," said an official. Almost all the parents of these children had wilfully sent their wards to work, the

said adding that they were also sensitised on the illegality involved in their act.

The raids were conducted at Periyar bus stand, Kamarajar Road, Avaniapuram, Simmakkal in the city as well as rural areas like Sholavandhan and Sellur. Ten teams of revenue and labour department officials conducted the raid. An official said that measures have been taken to rehabilitate the boys and ensure school education for them.

Meanwhile, Madurai rural SP V

had summoned 400 persons - all owners of brick kilns, automobile workshops and eateries and made them take a pledge not to employ children. The three sectors are the major employers of children. "It was like an awareness drive. They were instructed not to employ children and were also asked to inform the police if they come across such cases elsewhere," said Balakrishnan. "I have received information there are children employed in rural areas. Raids would be held across the district," he said.