Raipur: Chhattisgarh’s Kabirdham district has witnessed a heartening development as 13 children belonging to the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) Baiga community have returned to school after being rescued from alleged bonded labour and human trafficking earlier this year.
The children, aged between 8 and 15 years, were re-enrolled in schools through sustained intervention by the Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CSCPCR).
According to officials, the children were allegedly trafficked from Thuhapani village in the Bhoramdeo region and forced to work at cattle-rearing farms near the Kanha National Park area. Their families were reportedly lured with financial inducements, after which the children were taken away and made to perform labour-intensive work, including herding livestock from early morning till late night, without adequate wages or basic facilities.
The case came to light in May 2026, leading to a joint rescue operation by the Kabirdham Police, Women and Child Development Department, Childline, and the Association for Voluntary Action (AVA). All 13 children were rescued safely.
Police registered cases against eight accused, including two alleged traffickers and six employers.
Following the rescue, the Child Rights Commission focused on the children’s long-term rehabilitation alongside legal action. Commission Chairperson Dr. Varnika Sharma personally monitored the case and sought regular updates to ensure the children were protected from further exploitation.
A report submitted by the Bodla Block Education Officer on June 10, 2026, confirmed that all 13 children had been successfully re-admitted to schools. Authorities have also initiated measures to provide them with educational support and related facilities.
Dr. Sharma emphasized that the commission’s priority was healing and restoration rather than publicity.
“Every child has a constitutional right to a safe childhood, education and a secure future. There is no place in society for inhuman practices such as bonded labour and human trafficking.“
She further stated that returning to school was not merely a formal process but the restoration of the children’s dreams, dignity, and hope for a better future.
Child rights advocates say the case highlights the vulnerabilities faced by children from remote tribal communities and underscores the need for continued vigilance against child trafficking and child labour networks operating in rural and forested regions.
