16 child labourers freed

The children were rescued during a surprise raid conducted by the State Crime Branch, Hisar, and Labour Department, an official spokesman said.

They hailed from Bengal, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh. All of them have been sent to Sri Krishna Pranami Bal Sewa Ashram in the district.

An FIR has also been lodged against the factory owner under the Child Labour Act in Agroha police station, he added.