Rescued Children Shed Light on Illegal E-Waste Factory Practices

Eight children were rescued from an illegal e-waste factory operating in Bichhauli village. The factory, lacking proper permits, exposed workers to hazardous materials. The raid revealed significant safety violations, including unauthorized use of LPG cylinders and banned chemicals. Legal actions are underway against the factory owner.

Eight children engaged as labourers in an illegal e-waste factory in Bichhauli village were rescued during a raid, an officer announced on Tuesday.

The factory was found operating without proper permits and posed significant risks to both workers and the environment due to the use of hazardous materials and unsafe practices, the officer detailed.

The raid, conducted by officials from six departments under Sambhal Sadar Kotwali, uncovered that the children were working in dangerous conditions amidst harmful chemicals, including a large quantity of a banned acid, without any safety measures in place.

''The factory was not only operating without a sanctioned building plan but was also using 61 domestic LPG cylinders instead of the required commercial ones. The lack of proper exhaust systems, such as chimneys for the furnaces, further highlighted the unsafe working environment,'' said Additional District Magistrate Pradeep Verma, who led the operation.

''The factory was found to be processing e-waste illegally procured from Delhi. It was sorted and then sent back. Authorities are now investigating how the factory had been operating undetected,'' Verma added.

Legal action is being initiated against the factory owner while the rescued children are being provided with necessary care and support, the officer concluded.

(With inputs from agencies.)