AHMEDABAD — In a major crackdown on human exploitation, local authorities in Ahmedabad rescued 72 children who had been coerced into street begging, cleaning vehicle windshields, and performing dangerous acrobatic stunts across major traffic intersections in the city.

The extensive anti-begging initiative was executed through a coordinated joint drive involving the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), local police, and the Gujarat Social Welfare Department. Officials targeted key commercial areas, busy traffic junctions, and known begging hotspots following detailed intelligence gathering.

Following their rescue, all 72 minors were immediately taken to a designated facility where they underwent comprehensive medical evaluations. They were subsequently presented before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to determine appropriate protection and rehabilitation measures.

According to an official statement issued by the AMC, 10 of the rescued children were transferred directly to a state-run Child Welfare Home for long-term shelter and care. The remaining 62 minors were reunited with their parents or official guardians. However, civic authorities issued stern warnings to the guardians, cautioning that any future attempts to force these children back onto the streets would lead to immediate legal action and loss of custody.

Alongside the rescue of the minors, authorities detained 24 adults suspected of operating organized begging networks and forcing children into hazardous street labor during peak traffic hours. Cases against the accused are being registered under multiple strict provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act.

Additionally, 17 adult men rounded up during the citywide operations were produced before a local magistrate and subsequently transferred to designated state shelter facilities. Officials emphasized that joint operations of this nature will continue across the city to completely dismantle child exploitation syndicates.