Keonjhar: Ten minor children, who were rescued from their workplace by police during an anti-child labour drive, have fled from a short-stay home in the district headquarters township.

The police had rescued 65 child labourers from restaurants, roadside eateries and small-scale units at Barbil, Joda and Anandpur townships. "The rescued children were produced before the Child Welfare Committee under provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act. Later, they were rehabilitated in Ashirbad - a short-stay home for children. The parents of the rescued children were contacted so that they would take legal custody of their wards. However, the home authorities today informed us that 10 children fled from the temporary home," Child Welfare Committee chairman Dushmanta Jena said.

The short-stay home authorities have also lodged an FIR with Town police. The panel has begun an inquiry into the circumstances leading to the children fleeing from the home. Legal action would be initiated against the home management on the basis of the inquiry report, he said.

The cops have received a missing complaint. Search is to trace the children at the earliest.

"The police performed its legal duty in rescuing the children. Abiding by legal provisions, the rescued minors, all aged between 12 and 14 years, were handed over to Child Welfare Committee. The police have no role to play in their disappearance," said a police officer. Things took a controversial turn when some of the parents alleged that the police picked up their wards when they were playing near the Managla Temple at Joda Township.

"My 10-year-old son studies in a school. He is not engaged by anyone to do manual labour. The police, in an overzealous act, are picking up kids roaming the streets. My child is one such victim of police action on child labour," said Jamuna Samanta from Joda Township.