In a shocking incident that exposes the grim reality of child labour in India's manufacturing sector, seven minor boys from Bihar made a daring escape from a brutal bangle factory in Jaipur, where they endured unimaginable hardships before finding temporary refuge in an unlikely sanctuary - a graveyard.
The Nightmare in the Bangle Factory
According to police reports and victim statements, the children, all hailing from impoverished families in Bihar, were subjected to horrific working conditions at the factory located in Jaipur's Vishwakarma Industrial Area. The young workers, some as young as 12 years old, were forced to work up to 18 hours daily with minimal breaks and inadequate food.
The abuse wasn't limited to exhausting work hours - the factory owners and supervisors regularly beat the children with sticks and metal rods for minor mistakes or when production targets weren't met. The victims reported being paid either nothing or negligible amounts for their backbreaking labour.
The Daring Escape
After enduring months of this brutal treatment, the seven children saw an opportunity when factory security was relatively lax. They coordinated their escape under cover of darkness, fleeing the factory premises with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
With no money, no local contacts, and fearing recapture, the children made their way to a nearby graveyard, where they hid among the tombs for two days. The cemetery provided both cover from their pursuers and a temporary shelter while they contemplated their next move.
Rescue and Recovery
Their ordeal finally ended when local residents noticed the frightened children and alerted authorities. The Jaipur Police quickly responded, rescuing the minors and initiating a comprehensive investigation into the factory's operations.
Medical examinations confirmed signs of physical abuse and malnutrition among all seven children. Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Juvenile Justice Act and Child Labour Act against the factory owners.
Broader Implications
This incident has shed light on the persistent problem of child labour in Rajasthan's manufacturing sector, particularly in the famous bangle and handicraft industries. Activists point to this case as evidence that despite legal protections, children from economically disadvantaged states continue to be trafficked and exploited in hazardous working conditions.
Child rights organizations are demanding stricter enforcement of labour laws and better monitoring mechanisms to prevent such exploitation. They're also calling for rehabilitation programs for rescued children and harsher penalties for those who exploit minors.
The seven rescued children are currently under the care of child welfare authorities while arrangements are being made to reunite them with their families in Bihar.
