Seven Rescued Girls Return to Assam Following Brick Kiln Abuse Case

Guwahati: Seven minor girls arrived in Assam's Dhubri on Tuesday, August 4. They were rescued from a human trafficking and bonded labour racket operating at the Star Marka Eint Bhatta brick kiln in Bihar's Saharsa district. Bihar Police and Saharsa Child Protection Unit officials escorted the group home.

This case started in April. Authorities rescued 47 bonded labourers from the Dhamsaini kiln. These workers from Dhubri had moved to Bihar for jobs five or six months earlier. Instead of pay, they faced forced labour, poor food, and regular beatings. Ali Sk, one of the rescued workers, stated: "The accused and his associates frequently arrived at the kiln intoxicated and forcibly took away minor girls."

Reports indicate kiln owner Md. Owais Qarni, known as Chunna Mukhia, and his associates physically exploited the girls. Workers who fought back faced brutal punishment, including being suspended from a JCB machine. Management shot a worker, Maleka Bibi, in the leg on March 27. This violence caused survivors to flee and contact the Bihar Police.

Police arrested Qarni and returned the first group of labourers to Assam in mid-April. The seven girls stayed in a Saharsa shelter home for medical care and counselling during the investigation. Dhubri Child Protection Officer Noor Alom confirmed the next steps. "The minors will be handed over to their legal guardians after completion of document verification," Alom said. Officials will track their rehabilitation through home visits. Criminal cases against the kiln owner remain active in Bihar courts.