17 minors from Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh were rescued from Bolangir railway station in Odisha on Saturday after they were allegedly being transported for work to another location. This prompted a multi-agency investigation into suspected child labour trafficking.

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) intercepted the group and detained an alleged labour contractor, identified as Ramesh Pandu, who was reportedly accompanying the children. 

Authorities suspect that a larger network may be involved in the movement of child labourers and have launched a detailed inquiry into the matter.

Rescue Operation At Railway Station

According to preliminary information, the rescued minors were working at Purunakatak for the past 18 days. They were allegedly being transported to another destination when the RPF intervened and rescued them at Bolangir railway station.

The Government Railway Police (GRP), Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and officials from the child protection department are jointly investigating the circumstances under which the children were employed and being moved.

Ramesh Pandu, the detained labour contractor, said, “We were travelling from Purunakatak when we were stopped at the station. We are from Chhattisgarh and had come here in search of work. The company later asked us to leave, stating that the children were underage and could not be employed.”

Rehabilitation And Counselling Process

Leena Babu, Chairperson of the Bolangir Child Welfare Committee, said, “The children have been provided shelter and their families have been informed. They will be shifted to Child Care Institutions after counselling. Subsequently, the District Labour Officer will coordinate with the labour authorities of their respective districts.”

Also Read: Child trafficking foiled: 13 minors rescued en route to Odisha’s Jajpur from Bihar

Investigation Into Employment Conditions

Arun Khuas, a member of the Child Protection Department in Bolangir, said, “Under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, children below 18 years should not be engaged in hazardous occupations. We will seek details from the district administration regarding the nature of work in which the children were engaged and examine whether trafficking was involved.”