Massive Joint Operation by Rajasthan and Gujarat Police Exposes Child Labour Network
Jaipur/Surat: In a major crackdown on child labour and suspected human trafficking, a joint operation conducted by Rajasthan Police, Gujarat Police, and multiple child rights organizations rescued 91 child labourers from three textile factories in Gujarat’s Surat city. Officials confirmed that 86 of the rescued children belong to Rajasthan, while the remaining children are from Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Bihar.
The operation has exposed an alleged organized network involved in trafficking and exploiting children in Surat’s textile industry, with many victims reportedly forced to work in inhuman conditions for long hours.
Children Aged Between 7 and 14 Years
According to Dr. Shailendra Pandya, Director of Rajasthan-based NGO Gayatri Seva Sansthan (GSS), the rescued children are between seven and fourteen years of age.
As soon as the raids began, factory owners and supervisors allegedly fled from the locations to avoid arrest.
Authorities said many of the rescued children appeared frightened, exhausted, and physically weak due to prolonged labour under harsh conditions.
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Most Children From Rajasthan’s Tribal Areas
Officials stated that the majority of the rescued children belong to tribal regions of Rajasthan, particularly vulnerable rural areas where poverty and lack of awareness make children easy targets for traffickers and illegal labour agents.
Among the rescued minors:
- 86 children are from Rajasthan
- 3 are from Uttar Pradesh
- 1 each belongs to Jharkhand and Bihar
All rescued children were produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) in Surat, and legal proceedings are currently underway.
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Two Brothers Aged 8 and 10 Among Victims
One of the most disturbing findings of the rescue operation involved two brothers aged eight and ten years, who were reportedly brought from Rajasthan’s Udaipur district and forced to work inside the textile units.
Officials said several children had been working in the factories for years, while others had been trafficked recently.
Month-Long Surveillance Led to Raids
Dr. Pandya said that Gayatri Seva Sansthan had been monitoring the textile factories for nearly a month after receiving information regarding child labour activities.
After confirming the presence of a large number of minors, the organization alerted the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), which coordinated with police and enforcement agencies for the rescue operation.
The raid involved:
- National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)
- Anti Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU)
- Rajasthan Police officers
- Surat Police officials from Puna Police Station
- Association for Voluntary Action (AVA)
- Gayatri Seva Sansthan (GSS)
Rescued Children Gave Fresh Leads to Police
Officials said the rescued children themselves provided crucial information that led investigators to additional hidden locations where child labour was allegedly being carried out.
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According to Dr. Pandya, some children guided the police team to a building that appeared locked from outside. However, after entering the premises, authorities discovered several children inside working in textile-related activities.
Investigators found children as young as seven years old allegedly working long shifts of nearly 12 hours a day.
The children were reportedly found in a terrified and traumatized condition.
Children Kept in Inhuman Living Conditions
The investigation has revealed shocking details about the living arrangements provided to the children.
Authorities found that:
- 10 to 12 children were packed into small rooms
- Basic facilities such as proper beds, sanitation, and ventilation were missing
- Buildings were locked from outside throughout the workday
- Children were brought early in the morning and confined inside until evening
Officials suspect that these measures were deliberately adopted to avoid public suspicion and prevent the children from escaping.
“Some Children Were Told They Were Going on a Trip”
During questioning, several younger children revealed that they were brought to Surat under false promises.
Some minors said they were told they were being taken for travel or sightseeing and had no idea they would be forced into labour.
In some cases, parents were reportedly aware that the children were being sent for work due to financial distress, while in others, traffickers allegedly misled families.
Investigators also discovered that certain children had been working inside the textile units for the past three to four years.
Emotional Scenes During Rescue
Dr. Pandya recounted emotionally disturbing scenes witnessed during the operation.
He said one eight-year-old child did not even possess a shirt to wear and was hiding behind other children, asking if someone could lend him a shirt temporarily.
He praised the quick response and coordination of the police and child welfare agencies, stating that the rescue of such a large number of children was possible only because authorities treated the matter with urgency and seriousness.
Investigation into Human Trafficking Network Intensifies
Police and child protection agencies are now investigating:
- Human trafficking links
- Recruitment agents operating in Rajasthan
- Factory owners involved in employing minors
- Financial beneficiaries of the illegal labour network
Officials are also trying to identify whether similar child labour operations are active in other industrial units across Surat and neighboring areas.
The case has once again raised serious concerns regarding child trafficking, labour exploitation, and enforcement failures in India’s informal industrial sectors.