Ludhiana, Jan. 29 -- The district child protection unit has freed 166 children employed as labour and beggars, primarily between the ages of 12 and 16 during 28 coordinated raids conducted across the city in 2024.

According to officials, 148 children were freed from hazardous factory work and forced labour in homes and shops during 22 well-planned raids across the city. Meanwhile, 18 children were rescued from the streets, where they were exploited for begging.

These raids are carried out by the district task force that includes police officers, social workers, health and education officials, counsellors, and district administrators acting on a tip off from the labour department.

Additionally, a major push came during the child labour ...