Coal news and updates

‘Tied-up’ child found, is coal shop owner’s son: Police

The boy who was tied up and reportedly beaten for allegedly stealing coal was identified as the 12-year-old son of the owner of the coal warehouse.

Police were investigating the case of alleged child labour after a photograph of the boy with his hands tied above his head was published in a Ghaziabad newspaper on Tuesday. Police said all allegations of child labour has been ruled out and that he was the son of the owner of the coal warehouse where the photograph was clicked.

Child rights activist Tarun Acharya of Prerna Sewa Sansthan said his NGO had visited the spot and spoken to the child. “We spoke to him. He is 12 years old and goes to school. He was allegedly tied up by his parents to discipline him. But it doesn’t look like he was beaten up. We confirmed that he doesn’t work at the warehouse,” he said. Police said no FIR in the case has been filed.

A photojournalist who clicked the photo said he was passing by the area when he saw the child tied to a pole and a group of shopkeepers watching him.

“I found him tied up. When I asked why, the people nearby said he had stolen coal worth Rs 100,” he had told Newsline.

Source: The Indian Express