Authorities in Chhattisgarh rescued 16 children, including seven minors, from a bus at the Durg bus stand after receiving inputs about suspected child labour and possible human trafficking. The children, all from Kabirdham district, were allegedly being transported for work after being lured with promises of employment.

The rescue operation was carried out jointly by the Child Helpline (1098), the Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU), the Padmanabhpur police, and officials from the Women and Child Development Department following an alert from the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.

Joint Rescue Operation

According to Child Helpline District Project Coordinator Chandraprakash Patel, authorities received information on Wednesday evening that more than 10 children were travelling on a bus and were allegedly being taken for employment.

The joint team reached the Durg bus stand and intercepted the bus around 8.30 pm. During verification, officials found 16 children on board. All were safely escorted to the Child Helpline office for identity verification, counselling and questioning.

Children Lured with Job Offers

During preliminary questioning, several children said they had initially been told they would be taken to Raipur for work but were instead brought to Durg without being informed of their final destination.

Some children also claimed they had been promised jobs in Uttar Pradesh with a monthly salary of ₹15,000. Others stated they were told they would be employed at a mushroom factory. Officials are yet to ascertain where they were ultimately being taken.

Authorities said the children had been travelling without proper clarity about their destination or employment arrangements.

Seven Found to be Minors

Verification revealed that seven of the 16 rescued children were minors, while the remaining nine were adults. Some children carried Aadhaar cards, while others disclosed their ages verbally during questioning.

All of them are residents of different villages in Kabirdham district.

The rescued minors have been shifted to a government shelter home, while officials continue to verify the identities and circumstances of all those rescued.

Children Were Hungry and Exhausted

Officials said the children had reportedly remained without food or water since morning. After the rescue, they were provided meals and medical attention before being taken to the Child Helpline facility.

Individual counselling sessions and detailed statements will now be recorded to determine whether the children were being trafficked, recruited for child labour, or misled by employment agents.

One Person Detained

District Women and Child Development Officer Ajay Kumar Sahu said a man who arrived at the Durg bus stand to receive the children was detained for questioning.

Police suspect he may have been acting as a contractor or recruiter. His role, along with the involvement of other individuals connected to the transportation of the children, is currently under investigation.

Authorities are also examining who organised the journey, who financed it, and whether an organised child trafficking or illegal labour network is involved.

Minors to Be Produced Before CWC

Officials said all seven rescued minors will be produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), which will decide the next course of action regarding their care, rehabilitation and repatriation.

Police and child protection authorities have stated that if evidence of child trafficking or illegal child labour emerges during the investigation, strict legal action will be initiated against all those involved.