In a coordinated operation, authorities have rescued fifteen children who were being transported by train to Punjab for exploitative labour. The operation, conducted by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Zila Yuva Vikas Sangathan, intercepted the children on the Karambhoomi Express at Ambala Cantonment railway station.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the rescued children, aged between 15 and 17, were from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and were allegedly being taken to various locations in Punjab for work. The rescue occurred on Thursday evening following a tip-off received by the ‘Just Rights for Children Alliance’ through its toll-free helpline.
The confidential information indicated that several minors were on train number 12407, the Karambhoomi Express, destined for labour. This intelligence was promptly shared with Paramjeet Singh, president of the Zila Yuva Vikas Sangathan, who then initiated an operation in collaboration with the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) of Ambala, the Government Railway Police (GRP), and the RPF at Ambala Cantonment.
The joint operation was executed on the train around 7:30 PM, resulting in the safe recovery of all fifteen children. Preliminary interactions with the minors revealed their exploitative circumstances. Approximately ten children stated they were being transported to a rice mill in Ludhiana, with promises of a monthly salary of Rs 10,000. They reported expectations of working long hours, from 8 AM to 8 PM daily, and indicated that a contractor was awaiting their arrival at Ludhiana railway station.
Following their rescue, the children received counselling and were subsequently presented before Ranjita Sachdeva, the Chairperson of the CWC in Ambala. In accordance with the committee’s directives, the children have been placed in the Open Shelter Home in Ambala Cantonment for immediate protection and care. Efforts are currently underway to contact their parents, with the intention of reuniting the children with their families in the coming days.
One individual, identified as Subodh Manjhi, who was reportedly escorting the children to the rice mill in Ludhiana, was apprehended during the operation, according to Ajay Tiwari, programme coordinator of the Zila Yuva Vikas Sangathan. Mr. Tiwari confirmed that the children originate from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, underscoring the cross-state nature of such trafficking networks. He also noted the government’s commitment to addressing child trafficking issues and the ongoing collaborative efforts between administrative bodies and non-governmental organizations to rescue and rehabilitate vulnerable children.
The SHO of GRP Ambala Cantonment stated that the CWC is managing the counselling process for the rescued children and that their ages are being formally confirmed. Further legal actions will be determined based on the complaint that is eventually lodged. This incident highlights the persistent challenge of child labour and trafficking in the region and the critical role of inter-agency cooperation in thwarting such activities.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
