MACHILIPATNAM: Around 330 missing and destitute children, including 90 girls, were rescued during the third phase of "Operation Muskan" in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh,on Saturday.

Some of the children, reported missing for many months, were reunited with their families while the other had been admitted to rescue homes, Krishna District Superintendent of Police M Ravindranadh Babu said.

During the rescue operations several children were rescued from public places such as railway stations and bus stands, while many others were found working as bonded labour in shops and hotels and some were also caught begging on the streets.

For this rescue operation, special teams were formed with one SI and four constables in each sub division. Steps were taken to ensure that there was a female crew on the team.

- Team members were in civil dress without wearing a police uniform during the operation.

- Information including photos of children identified during the searches has been uploaded in the Child Track Portal.

- The identified children will be handed over to childcare committees in the respective districts within 24 hours.

- Children who do not have a valid address or information will be sent to govt. run shelter homes.

- Where child labourers were found in hotels, restaurants and dhabhas, cases under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, and the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act.

The SP said more than 800 children had been rescued in the three phases of "Operation Muskan" in Krishna district in the past couple of months.

Also Read: Operation Muskan In AP: 2774 Children Rescued In November