Mangaluru : C.M. Joshi, Principal District and Sessions Judge, said on Wednesday that it was the duty of every citizen to prevent child labour.

He was speaking after inaugurating the World Day against Child Labour function here.

Mr. Joshi said that if anyone came across any instance, they should inform the Child Helpline: 1098.

“It is not possible to abolish child labour merely with laws. Everyone in the society should make continuous efforts to do it,” he said.

The economic condition of families and other factors pushed children to work. But it was essential to see that they enjoyed their childhood and also got educated, Mr. Joshi said. Raju, who passed his II PU with 78% and who had been rescued while working as a child labourer in a hotel in the district some years ago, was felicitated at the function.

Later, inaugurating a training programme for Child Helpline staff at the Sri Krishna Balaniketana , Mr. Joshi said that the Child Helpline went a long way in preventing atrocities against the children.

It helped in rescuing children of migrant families. Sometimes these families sent their children to work. The staff working at the helpline should be trained in handling such children in a friendly manner, he said.

Nisha James, Superintendent of Police, said that 23 calls had been received on the Child Helpline ever since it started functioning. Appropriate action had been taken in all these cases.

The police department also cooperated and worked in coordination with the other departments in such cases, she added.