10 Minors Among 12 Rescued From West Bengal Food Unit, FIR Filed

Twelve workers, including 10 minors, were rescued from a food manufacturing unit in Uttar Dinajpur district following an operation by the district administration and police, officials said on Wednesday.

The rescued children were allegedly employed at the unit to prepare cakes, biscuits and cream rolls. According to police, most of them were from Jharkhand and were reportedly made to work for around 12 to 15 hours a day.

Among those rescued, one child was below 14 years of age, while nine others were between 14 and 17. The remaining two workers were adults, a senior officer of Raiganj police district said.

The rescue operation was carried out on Tuesday evening following coordination between the Uttar Dinajpur district administration and police. The rescued workers were initially taken to Raiganj police station before being shifted to a shelter home.

Authorities are now investigating the circumstances under which the boys were brought from Jharkhand and employed at the manufacturing unit. Officials are also examining whether they were subjected to conditions amounting to bonded or illegal child labour.

“Further action will be taken based on the investigation,” a senior police officer said.

An FIR has been registered at Raiganj police station under provisions of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Juvenile Justice Act and Child and Adolescent Labour Act.

The case has raised concerns over the alleged employment of children in a manufacturing facility and the working conditions they were reportedly subjected to. The investigation is expected to establish how the minors were recruited, who was responsible for employing them and whether any labour laws were violated.

Authorities are likely to take further legal action after examining the evidence and recording statements from the rescued workers and other individuals connected with the unit.