Agartala, Apr 21 (UNI) The Left Front government in Tripura was left red faced after a report surfaced of a new born son being sold at Rs 7,600 by a tribal mother to treat her ailing husband at Rangia Tilla of Haldia ADC village under Teliamura police station in West Tripura early this week.
The incident rocked the administration, as it has become a tool for opposition ahead of crucial assembly election barely after eight months.
However, neither the police nor the civil administration denied the report and rather stated that it was not informed to them formally.
According to report, the distressed tribal family had no other option left with to survive and with the help of a neighbour, the baby was given to a childless couple of Khowai.
The matter has already been brought to the notice of Sub-divisional Magistrate (SDM) Teliamura but the child is yet to be rescued.
The report said a day labourer Usha Ranjan Debbarma has been suffering from multiple ailments for quite a long time and his wife Dinamala Debbarma was looking after the family.
The worst thing happened when the mother of three sons Dinamala became pregnant and delivered another son on April 17 at home.
When she was in a quandary over how to maintain the family, one of her neighbour came with the proposal to sell the child to a well-off couple, as they had been desperately trying to adopt a child.
Accordingly, the deal was finalised and the couple made a commitment that Dinamala will be paid further if in need for treatment of her husband.
The BJP leader of the area Sabda Kumar Jamatia yesterday rushed to the village and found truth in it.
He immediately brought the matter to the notice of the SDM demanding rescue of the child and to extend financial help to the family, besides ensuring free treatment to Usha Ranjan.
“With the information we have sent a team of officials to bring Usha Ranjan to the hospital but the family refused as there is none to accompany him in the hospital, as her wife has not yet recovered the trauma.
Finally, after long persuasion they agreed to bring him into the hospital but the family and neighbour denied the report of selling of child,” said SDM Teliamura Jayanta Dey.
He further stated that the administration has been enquiring why the family did not enrol into the government’s social support programmes and did not get a BPL card.
The administration is extending all support to the poor but if anybody did not come forward, it becomes bit difficult for the officers to extend help to them, Mr Dey added.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Jamatia alleged that it was another incident how the poor people are being deprived or ignored in this left ruled state.
The village falls under Krishnapur assembly constituency being represented by minister for fisheries, fire services and co-operative Khagendra Jamatia consecutively for five terms but he turned a blind eye to the sufferings of the poor tribal.
However, Jamatia was not available for comment on the issue. UNI
