Govt urges caution after return of M’laya students from K’taka

SHILLONG, April 24: A day after 22 children from Meghalaya were handed over to the state’s Social Welfare department by the Mandya District Child Protection Unit in Karnataka, the state government has urged parents to exercise caution when sending their children outside the state for educational purposes.
On March 16, during Holi celebrations at the Gokula Educational Trust in Bengaluru, several students suffered from food poisoning and were hospitalised. Tragically, two children from Meghalaya—12-year-old Namebantei Marwein from Sohparu in West Khasi Hills and Khrehlang Khongtani, a Class VII student—lost their lives.
Acknowledging that parents naturally aspire to provide their children with quality education at affordable rates, Cabinet Minister Kyrmen Shylla, however, emphasised the importance of parental awareness and vigilance when making such decisions.
He stressed the need for parents to inform the respective deputy commissioners about children being sent outside the state, to enable prompt government assistance in emergencies.
“I don’t blame anyone but we need to be alert and DCs and SPs must be informed about the children,” he said.
Earlier, the Karnataka High Court had ordered the repatriation of the students following a petition by 23 parents and legal guardians seeking their immediate return.
As per the Juvenile Justice Act, the 22 children were placed under the care of the Mandya District Child Protection Officer until their journey back to Meghalaya.