Problems afflict inmates of city homes

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Nov 29: The Assam State Commission for Protection of child Rights, in its annual report, has said that the inmates of Fatasil Ambari Children Home and Jalukbari State Home for Women and Children are facing psychological torture due to derogatory words used on them by the people of the locality. Lack of counseling is also affecting the mental make-up of the inmates.

People living near Fatasil Ambari Children Home even admit the fact that the children home is widely known as vagrant home, affecting psycho-social mentality of the children. The employees engaged in the home are also allegedly indifferent to the children.

The Jalukbari State Home for Women and Children has  three wings – State Home for Women and Destitute, Children Home, Transit and Observation Home –  respectively for girls. The homes are being run only with a handful of employees for day-to-day work.

Counseling is a must for inmates for children, so is for the women inmates for discussing various issues associated with the inmates, including healing of trauma and for preparing them for future family integration and social rehabilitation. Jalukbari State Home for Women and Children is allegedly run with only one counselor who also renders service to Fatasil Ambari Children Home. Idequate staff and insufficient training of the staff are also said to have been a burning issue confronting Jalukbari State Home for Women and Children.