Child labourers from Bihar, UP rescued from Rajasthan factory

27 child labourers, mostly from Bihar, have been rescued from a bread factory in Anantpura here.

Police claimed the children, aged between 14 and 17 years, were made to work for over 12 hours a day in hazardous conditions.

The raid was carried out yesterday by anti-human trafficking unit following a tip-off. Inspector Kaniz Fatema said 25 of the rescued children were from Bihar and two from Uttar Pradesh. They were brought to work here by a private contractor about two months ago.

"The children were found working as bonded labourers in hazardous conditions. They wore old, torn clothes even in the cold conditions. They were being given little food," Fatema said.

A case in this connection has been lodged against the owner of the bread factory and the private contractor in Anantpura police station, she said.

The children were later produced before the Child Welfare Committee that sent them to shelters homes.

The rescued children's statement would be recorded before the Sub Division Magistrate tomorrow following which further action as per the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act would be taken, Fatema said.

The minors were rescued under Operation Smile campaign launched against child labour from January 1 in Kota.

"Awareness generation activities for child labour free nation have been conducted in the first three days of the campaign," she said, adding the campaign would continue till January 31.