Rising Child Exploitation Concerns in Assam’s Tea Gardens: Awareness Meeting Held

Authorities in Assam have raised alarms over increasing cases of child labour, trafficking, and early marriage, particularly within the tea garden communities, during an awareness meeting on Sunday, November 10, at the Amrit Gaon Primary School playground.

Organized by the District Child Protection Office of Tinsukia and the Assam State Child Protection Committee, the meeting aimed to address the growing exploitation of children in Margherita Co-District’s tea garden areas. Shyam Upadhyay, Social Welfare District Child Protection Officer of Tinsukia, emphasized the severity of child-related issues, particularly in the tea garden and Adivasi communities, and urged residents to report cases to the child helpline number 1098.

Concerns were also raised about the link between child exploitation and widespread alcohol abuse in the region. Lekhapani Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nitu Changmai promised strict action against illicit liquor sellers, citing the combination of alcohol, drugs, and other addictions as contributing to the rise in child exploitation cases.

Sanjay Barla, president of the All Adivasi Student Association of Assam’s Margherita Regional Committee, expressed frustration over the lack of development in the region despite 77 years of independence, attributing it to substance abuse issues.

The meeting concluded with local residents pledging to abstain from alcohol and addictive substances. Community leaders, police officials, and representatives from various local organizations attended the event, reflecting a collective commitment to addressing child welfare challenges in the vulnerable communities of the region.