Rescued kids handed over to parents
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 29 2013 :
In all 36 children rescued from Bangalore city have been handed over to their respective parents/guardians at a simple hand-over programme held today at Children Observation Home, Takyel.
The children brought here from Guwahati on November 25 include 11 girls and hail from the districts of Ukhrul (12), Senapati (15), Bishnupur (2) and Churachandpur (10) .
It is said that these children were taken to Bangalore with the assurance of providing them education but were allegedly exploited and abused.
Escorted by a joint team of Bangalore police and Karnataka State Social Welfare Department the rescued children reached Guwahati on November 21 before their arrival here with an official team of State's Social Welfare Department and activists of Child Welfare Committee.
social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai devi attending the hand-over ceremony expressed elation that the children are finally in the safe custody of their parents.
Citing some part incidents of children remaining missing after they were sent to larger cities for education, the Minister called upon the parents to exercise caution before parting with their wards.
Noting that some unscrupulous elements are responsible for taking away children under the pretext of education, she nevertheless pledged that the Social Welfare Department will take all possible measures to rescue children if there is any report about their exploitation.
According to director (Social Welfare) L Ibobi the Karnataka Government was initially reluctant to concede that some Manipuri children trafficked to the southern State are being exploited as the issue was an embarrassing one.
However, through conveyance of detailed information about the condition of the children a Bangalore police team yielded to the Department's request for their rescue and escort upto Guwahati, he said.
Suggesting that the children handed over today be provided education within the State, the Director also conveyed that education of the children could be ensured in Manipur under the SSA programme.