State to form special squad to shelter street children

SHILLONG: The state government will constitute a special squad to provide shelter to the abandoned children in the city.
The pending PIL in this regard filed by Khroolamsalanki Pariat came up for hearing on Tuesday before the division bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Justice H S Thangkhiew.
The special squad will have to visit in and around Shillong city to find out if any abandoned children or homeless children are sleeping on the pavement and to take appropriate measures to accommodate them in shelter home as available with Shillong Municipal Board. The petitioner who was present in the Court volunteered to accompany the special squad to help the Shillong Municipal Board in locating the children living on pavement without any shelter. The court appreciated the efforts of the petitioner and his commitment to a social cause.
In compliance to the earlier orders, the petitioner has filed an affidavit stating that he along with one of his close associates working for the well-being of homeless children visited some of the places in Shillong on November 22 which include MTC parking opposite MUDA, Quinton Road, Jail Road, Assembly footpath and found some homeless children sleeping in the open space. The petitioner clicked some photographs which have been annexed with the affidavit. “Situation is not only pitiable but deplorable as well. Why the authorities concerned have not taken immediate action for providing shelter to those homeless/abandoned children”, the court said.
According to additional senior government advocate, the Shillong Municipal Board has got accommodation for abandoned and ignored children.
The additional senior government advocate also assured that the concerned officers will visit the places as have been identified within two days.
The report of compliance will have to be submitted by or before December 3 which is the next date of hearing.