In the second rescue operation within a week, the Zila Yuva Vikas Sangathan, in a joint operation with the RPF personnel, has rescued 11 children, who were brought from Bihar, for labour.
As per the information, the minors were being taken for work in bread factories in Punjab and agricultural fields in Ambala.
Zila Yuva Vikas Sangathan’s Programme Coordinator, Ajay Tiwari, said there was confidential information regarding children being transported through Karambhoomi Express (12407) for labour work at various locations.
The information was shared with the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Ambala, GRP, and RPF Ambala Cantonment, and a joint rescue operation was conducted on the train. During the check, 10 boys and one girl were rescued.
“The children rescued today are in the age group of 15-17 years. Of 11, while nine were being taken to two different factories in Punjab, two were brought to work at agricultural fields in Ambala. They were travelling with some major boys, and worked as labourers in Punjab,” he informed.
After completion of DDR and medical procedures, all the children were produced before Ranjita Sachdeva, Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Ambala. While the girl has been sent to the One Stop Centre, the boys have been sent to the open shelter home. It has come to light that some of these children had already worked in Punjab, informed Ajay.
Paramjit Singh Badola, President of Zila Yuva Vikas Sanghthan, said that during the preliminary inquiry, it was revealed that the children belonged to Bihar and were being taken for labour work.
“Efforts are being made to contact the families of the children. Our team members have been interacting and counselling with the children to ensure their safety and mental well-being. A continuous rise in cases of child trafficking and child labour across the country is a matter of serious concern. Due to economic hardship, false promises of employment, and weak protection systems, children remain highly vulnerable to trafficking,” he said.
The rescue operation was carried out in the presence of RPF Ambala officials, the Anti Human Trafficking Unit, and representatives from Zila Yuva Vikas Sanghthan Ambala.
Ajay Tiwari informed that in the rescue operation conducted on May 15, as many as 15 minor children were rescued. They have been handed over to their respective parents with a warning that if the children are engaged in labour work, action will be taken against the parents.
