In a joint operation, a team of Zila Yuva Vikas Sangathan and RPF personnel rescued 15 children who were being taken to Punjab from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh for labour work by train.According to information, the children, aged 15-17, were to be transported to different locations in Punjab for labour work. However, following a tip-off, they were rescued from Karambhoomi Express at the Ambala Cantonment railway station Thursday evening.The programme coordinator of Zila Yuva Vikas Sangathan, Ajay Tiwari, said that ‘Just Rights for Children Alliance’ received confidential information through its toll-free helpline about several minors being transported on train number 12407 (Karambhoomi Express). The information was shared with Sangathan president Paramjeet Singh, and an operation was launched to rescue the children. The information was further shared with Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Ambala, GRP, and RPF, Ambala Cantonment, for prompt action.“A joint operation was conducted in the train around 7.30 pm last evening, during which 15 children were safely rescued. During preliminary interaction, the children revealed that they were all minors and were being taken to different places in Punjab for labour work. Around 10 children were being taken to a rice mill in Ludhiana and had been promised a monthly salary of Rs 10,000. The children further stated that they were expected to work from 8 am to 8 pm, and the contractor was waiting for them at the Ludhiana railway station,” he said.After the rescue operation, the children were counselled and produced before Ranjita Sachdeva, CWC Chairperson, Ambala. Following the directions of the committee, the children were sent to Open Shelter Home, Ambala Cantonment, for protection. Their parents are being contacted, and the children will be handed over to them in a couple of days. The children were being taken by Subodh Manjhi to work in a rice mill in Ludhiana. He was also nabbed, Tiwari said.Paramjeet Singh stated that the children are from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The government is taking child trafficking issues seriously, and the administration, along with organisations, is continuously working toward the rescue and rehabilitation of children.Meanwhile, SHO, GRP Ambala Cantonment, said that CWC is conducting counselling, the age of the rescued children is being confirmed, and further action will be taken based on the complaint received.