22 Children Rescued from Orphanage at Pasighat

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: As many as 22 children were rescued from an orphanage at Pasighat in East Siang district following reports of the very unhygienic condition of the Homecoming from official sources. Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women cum AP State Commission for Protection of Child Rights member secretary Yame Higio and Tem Yabi along with Child Welfare Committee, East Siang district made this possible post receiving information from P E Angu, Dy Director of Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) cum District Child Protection Officer (DCPO).

The action was initiated after an Inspection conducted by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), East Siang on 'Friendship Foundation Academy', a self-proclaimed Orphanage & School, which was unregistered. The report submitted by CWC chairperson Obang Dai to the Deputy Commissioner recommended closure of the Home on violation of Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. The Home had no registration of any kind and enrolled 50 children. The living condition of the 5-roomed hostel was also found to be deplorable and no furniture was found in the classroom.

9-10 children used to sleep in a room on the same bed by joining two small beds. Classes were conducted for just one or two hours a day. The rooms were without any ventilation and very unhygienic. Most of the children also showed signs of skin infection. The children were also kept "starving". In this regard, an FIR has been lodged at Police Station Pasighat against the chairman of Friendship Foundation Academy, who is still absconding.

Meanwhile, the kids were brought to the Children Home, run by Oju Welfare Association (OWA), Naharlagun on Wednesday morning and finally were handed over to their parents.