Twenty-one people, including 16 children, were rescued from two illegal imitation jewellery units in Rajkot, officials said on Sunday. The victims, all from West Bengal, were forced to work more than 10 hours a day for a monthly wage of ₹8,000. Many reported physical abuse by the unit owner.
The accused, Ajitmaula Ajmatmaula, a resident of Purba Bardhaman district in West Bengal, was arrested in the early hours of June 6. Police said he was charged under sections 118 and 146 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, along with relevant sections of the Juvenile Justice Act and the Child Labour Act.
Medical reports confirmed that some of the children had been physically assaulted. In one case, a boy had an object forcibly inserted into his rectum. As a result, police also added charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Bharat Basiya said the rescue operation was launched after police received a tip-off. A team raided a house on Morbi Road early Friday morning, where they found 14 minors under the age of 18 and five young adults between 18 and 22 years old. The victims told police they were made to produce imitation jewellery for long hours under harsh conditions.
Ajmatmaula was later found at a different location with two boys, who also reported being beaten by him, the ACP added.
Initial investigations showed that the children and youths were brought to Rajkot from different parts of West Bengal with the consent of their parents. Ajmatmaula paid each of them ₹8,000 per month but regularly beat the children if they made mistakes or disobeyed him.
All rescued minors and youths have been placed in a city childcare home and are under the care of government officials.
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