Gujarat police rescue 84 child labourers in 14 days, cases filed against 26 accused

The Gujarat Police have rescued 84 child labourers and registered 16 cases against 26 accused persons during the first 14 days of a statewide crackdown on child labour under ‘Operation Childhood Freedom’.

Police officials said 67 rescued children have already been rehabilitated, while 160 awareness programmes have been conducted as part of the initiative. Authorities are also facilitating the enrolment of rescued children in schools.

As part of the operation, police teams have been conducting raids in industrial areas and commercial establishments suspected of employing child labourers. Criminal cases are being registered against employers found violating child labour laws.

In one recent case, Kamrej Police in Surat rescued two children from a textile unit following a tip-off. Preliminary investigation revealed that the children were allegedly paid around ₹200 per day and made to work from 8 am to 7 pm with only a one-hour break. Police have registered a case against the factory owner.

Director General of Police G S Malik said the operation is focused not only on rescuing children but also on ensuring their rehabilitation and long-term welfare. He said authorities are working to provide rescued children with access to education and support services.

According to police, cases of child labour have been detected in textile units, hotels, rice mills and small-scale industries. Additional Director General of Police Ajay Chaudhary said many of the rescued children had been brought from Bihar and Rajasthan, and investigators are examining possible links to child trafficking networks.

Officials said the operation will target not only employers but also contractors and supply-chain networks involved in recruiting and supplying child labour.

Police believe poverty, migration and the demand for low-cost labour are among the primary factors driving child labour. Authorities are coordinating with the labour department, child welfare committees, educational institutions, and non-governmental organisations to address the issue.

Under the campaign, Gujarat Police plan to inspect more than 50,000 locations across the state and aim to rescue over 5,000 child labourers. Awareness drives are also being conducted to educate business owners about child labour laws and the importance of schooling.