Family allegedly threatens staff of Childline, Thoubal
Source: The Sangai Express
Thoubal, October 25 2020:
Childline Thoubal has urged all to refrain from intimidating its members who are on duty.
Speaking to media persons during a press meet held at Wangjing, a member of Childline Thoubal, Sarangthem Sobita said that 3 staff of Childline, Thoubal, including herself, were detained and intimidated by a family in Heirok Kabo Leikai for attempting to intercept child marriage.
She said that a complaint regarding child marriage was lodged to Childline Thoubal through emergency helpline number 1098 on October 22 last.
Responding to the complaint, Childline Thoubal and District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) Thoubal visited one family at Heirok Kabo Leikai, and apprised them the illegitimacy of child marriage, she said and added that the team advised the family to bring the child at CWC, Thoubal for counselling on October 24 .
Instead of bringing the child at CWC, staff of Childline, Thoubal was asked to visit the family and on visiting them, the staff were locked inside a room and snatched their phones by a large mob, she narrated and added that the staff were never given a chance to speak.
The 3 staff were intimidated with vulgar phrases in native tongue like "Mayamna Hatlaga Thakho"; "Khul gee meeyamna hatkhibani hairaga loire kanana kari toudoino"; "Childine di peisa chabani", "Party amagaee peisa louraga luhongba thugainaba sinbani"; "Nupi staff yaoraklibe singsi draupadi saraga thankho", "Noi mafam asidagee lengba yaroi,sigi makha taba thabk yam tourakhini akhoina", "Echagee ijatdabi noi ahumna pigadabani," she claimed.
Continuing that one of the staff discreetly sent a message to Childline, Thoubal, she maintained that a team of Heirok police rushed to the spot and rescued them from the mob after a prolonged negotiation.
Appealing all to support Childline which responded to the emergency needs of children, she thanked Thoubal SP Dr S Ibomcha and Officer in Charge of Heirok Police Station, Premjit for rescuing them.