Four Bihar minors rescued from suspected child labour trafficking by RPF from Azimabad Express

Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel and activists from the NGO Association for Voluntary Action (Bachpan Bachao Andolan) rescued four boys, all from Bihar, who were allegedly being trafficked to work at a cardboard manufacturing unit in Gujarat.

As per the complaint lodged at the Government Railway Police (GRP) station in Kota, the minors were intercepted on July 3 during an inspection of the Azimabad Express (Train No 12948) as it halted at Sawai Madhopur railway station. Acting on a tip-off from Rekha, an assistant project officer with the NGO, RPF constables questioned the boys travelling in a general coach.

Three of the minors were residents of Jafrabad in Vaishali district, and one was from Beldari village, Bathani post, Bihar.

Investigators stated that one of the boys admitted to having previously worked at a cardboard factory located at Patel Rice Mill in Balva village, Gujarat. He told officers that a contractor named Vikas, whose mobile number and Aadhaar details were provided, had offered him a monthly wage of ₹13,000.

Apart from that, the boy alleged he had been paid an advance of ₹3,000 for bringing three other boys along. The money was reportedly deposited in the account of his brother Ranjit. The contractor’s photograph was shared from the boy’s mobile phone with the authorities.

After registering a General Diary (GD) entry at the GRP police station, the four minors were produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for care and further proceedings under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Sections, which deal with offences related to the exploitation of children.

GRP officials said that efforts are on to trace contractor Vikas and verify the factory’s operations. No arrests have been reported yet.