By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Members of the Guwahati-based NGO, Universal Team for Social Action and Help (UTSAH), on Friday alleged that New Life Home is concealing facts about the presence of two more children in the shelter home.
Led by Shankardev Chowdhury, members of the NGO were in the city to rescue the two boys, believed to be from Assam. But on reaching here, they found out that the boys had already been received by their parents back in the neighbouring state on Thursday.
However, the team discovered that two more minors were still stuck in the hostel.
Talking to The Shillong Times, UTSAH member Chowdhury said they had got in touch with the parents of the two boys from Guwahati and it was confirmed that the kids had been received by the family and taken back to their home town.
Chowdhury further informed that despite the hostel in charge denying the presence of any more children, the NGO discovered the presence of two more boys in the hostel upon inspection. “The boys are probably from the border areas of Meghalaya and Assam,” he said.
Stating that further enquiry will be conducted by their team in Guwahati, the UTSAH member said, “We will approach the Child Welfare Committee and also contact the parents of the aggrieved children regarding the matter.”
He also said that information has been fed to the city police on the presence of the two boys inside the hostel.
However, when contacted, the police denied receiving any complaint from the Guwahati-based NGO.
It may be mentioned that six children were rescued from the hostel on September 28 after Reverend SK Miller was arrested for allegedly abusing the minors. Two boys, meanwhile had escaped a day before Miller’s arrest.
A city court had earlier awarded 10-day police custody to Rev Miller.
Rev Miller’s interrogation was delayed following his hospitalization on the day of his arrest. He was first admitted to the Shillong Civil Hospital on September 28 and subsequently shifted to NEIGRIHMS.
The next hearing will be held on October 18.