Seven minor girls from Assam’s Dhubri district, who were rescued from a brick kiln in Bihar after allegedly being sexually and physically abused, were brought back to the district on Tuesday under a Bihar Police escort. They were handed over to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) following the completion of all legal formalities. According to officials, the girls were among 47 bonded laborers—including adults and children from economically vulnerable families in Dhubri—who had migrated to Bihar around five to six months ago to work at the Star Marka Eint Bhatta in Saharsa district.
The case came to light in April after workers alleged they were confined at the kiln, forced to work without wages, and subjected to inhuman treatment. They accused the kiln owner, Md. Owais Qarni (alias “Chunna Mukhia”), and his associates of physically assaulting laborers and repeatedly sexually abusing the seven minor girls. The primary accused was subsequently arrested by Bihar Police under relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and criminal proceedings against him and his associates are ongoing in a Bihar court.
Police stated that the horrific ordeal surfaced following an incident on March 27, when a female laborer was allegedly shot in the leg by members of the kiln management. Several workers managed to flee the premises and, with the help of local residents, lodged an FIR with the Bihar Police, triggering a multi-agency rescue operation. While all 47 rescued laborers were initially brought back to Dhubri in April, the seven girls remained at a government shelter home in Saharsa for necessary medical care, protection, and legal assistance as the investigation progressed.
Nur Alom, Protection Officer of the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Dhubri, confirmed that the girls were repatriated after statutory procedures were jointly completed by authorities in both states. He stated that the Saharsa and Dhubri Child Protection Units finalized all verification formalities before transferring the minors. They are now being handed over to their respective legal guardians, after which protection teams will conduct regular home visits to monitor their safety, recovery, and long-term rehabilitation.