SHILLONG: The Social Welfare Department on Tuesday, while reacting to the report of twenty minor girls from Meghalaya being held up in Tamil Nadu since May, has pinned the blame on the president and general secretary of Laisynshar Cultural Society for taking the girls with the consent of their parents, but without obtaining necessary permission from the State Child Welfare Committee.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Social Welfare Minister Deborah Marak asserted that Barberar Khonglam and Puramon Kynjing, the president and general secretary of Laisynshar Cultural Society respectively, have violated the law as no individual or group is authorized to take children below the age of 12 years outside the State without the consent of the Child Welfare Committee.
The girls from Meghalaya were taken to Nivedhitha Seva Trust under the aegis of Seva Bharathi in May last, and were being provided free boarding, lodging and education.
The Minister informed that the girls were rescued by the Tamil Nadu CWC and the district administration of Krishnagiri District of the state on October 27.
However, the Nivedhitha Seva Trust approached the Madras High Court following which the court issued an order to maintain status quo on the issue.
When officials of the Meghalaya Government met the District Collector of Krishnagiri, they were informed that the girls were being taken care of.
Marak also informed that the Madras High Court had, on several occasions, deferred the hearing, and the next hearing is expected to take place on January 2, while adding that the reasons behind the deferment of the hearing dates by the High Court is still awaited.
Marak, further, said that the twenty girls were currently being looked after at Narendra Nambikka Natchatiram Children’s Home, while asserting that the girls were safe and well protected at the Children’s Home. The Tamil Nadu Child Welfare Committee and the District Administration of Krishnagiri were monitoring the safety and health status of the girls who are receiving their education at Swathy Matriculation School.
“If the High Court of Madras gives the order to transfer the children back to Meghalaya on January 2, we will immediately send our officials to bring back the girls,” assured Marak.
Meanwhile, Director of Social Welfare Department, HM Shangpliang, has said that the department will conduct its inquiry into the matter and examine the action, if any, to be taken against the office bearers of Laisynshar Cultural Society.
Interestingly, sources have informed that during a meeting of the officials of the Department and the parents of the children, some of the parents indicated that they would not accept their children if they return home.
The sources also revealed that only 15 of the 20 children have expressed their desire to return while five others did not want to return to Meghalaya.
The District Child Protection Officer of East Khasi Hills, who has already met the children, has also confirmed the report that some of the children do not want to return fearing that they would be deprived of proper education once they return.
It may be noted that most of the children who were taken to Tamil Nadu belong to Jaintia Hills.
