In a major crackdown on child trafficking and illegal labour, at least 19 children were rescued from a residential building in Rajkot, where they were allegedly being held and forced to work in an imitation jewellery manufacturing unit.
The operation was jointly conducted by the Rajkot City Police, Special Operations Group (SOG), and the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit. The children, believed to be from West Bengal, were found in distress at a house near Bedichowk. Authorities immediately arranged medical check-ups, and initial reports suggest that several of them bore injury marks on their hands and backs—indicating possible physical abuse.
According to preliminary findings, the children were brought to Rajkot over the last two years by a contractor who illegally employed them in harsh labour conditions, violating child protection and bonded labour laws.
The property where the children were found is owned by a man named Babu Bala. Investigators are verifying the presence of a rental agreement and may pursue legal action for aiding trafficking and tenancy violations if necessary.
Officials suspect this incident is part of a wider network of child trafficking operating in Gujarat, with Rajkot identified as an emerging hub. This isn’t an isolated case. In April, 31 child workers were rescued from saree factories in Jetpur, and in July 2024, 29 children trafficked for begging were rescued by Ahmedabad Police from multiple city hotspots.
The latest rescue highlights the urgent need for stronger enforcement and coordinated efforts to dismantle child exploitation networks in the state.
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