Chandrababu Naidu warns child traffickers will be punished severely

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday praised Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi for his determination, dedication for child welfare and warned that people indulge in child trafficking will be severely punished.

Addressing a Bharat Yatra here with Satyarthi, Naidu said that the society needs more people like Nobel Prize awardee , especially when there is lot of atrocities happening in the society.

"Children are our gods. Parents must take the responsibility and we all must encourage the children. I would send people indulging in child labour to jail under Preventive Detention (PD) act," he said.

He even assured that the state government will make laws to lead in child safety in the country.

Meanwhile, Kailash Satyarthi said that since businesses are coming forward to setup their units in the state, the child safety must also be prioritized and should contribute to the cause through Corporate Social Responsibility.

"Andhra Pradesh is leading in technology and therefore more applications should be developed to address child abuse and trafficking," he said.

He even praised Naidu for extending his support to the cause of child safety.

"No Chief Minister marched on the streets for the cause of child rights in the history, not just in India, but in the entire world. All citizens of Andhra Pradesh must be proud of their Chief Minister," he added.

Satyarthi also appealed the people to work with the state government to make Andhra Pradesh the first to be free from child abuse in the country.

"I can tell you this not just on behalf of my Kailash Satyarthi foundation but also on behalf of thousand other organisations working for the cause," he said.

"There is a need for a comprehensive and holistic policy for education, healthcare and safety of children. Together with my organisation, you must lead in this respect," he added.

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister today participated in the Bharat Yatra, along with Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi today in Kurnool.

Launched by Satyarthi, the Bharat Yatra is aimed at creating awareness across India about child trafficking and sexual abuse, which according to him, has become a 'moral epidemic.'

The Yatra, which started from Kanyakumari on September 11, entered Ananthapur in Andhra Pradesh on Monday.

Covering a distance of 11,000 km and traversing across the 22 states, it is scheduled to culminate in an event in Delhi on October 16.

Earlier, Satyarthi had expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Naidu, the State government, the district administration and all those who stood by the cause.