Imphal, March 29 2010: Vulnerability of children belonging to economically unsound families has been exposed yet again as 27 kids from Manipur have been rescued from an unauthorised centre in Tamil Nadu setting off hectic activities and parleys from both the social welfare department officials and Child Line Imphal activists to bring back the children.

Information has been received that the kids in the age group of three to 13 years, including nine girls were rescued by officials of Tamil Nadu's Social welfare Department from an unregistered home located in Madapuram village on March 25 .

Conveying that the children are now in the safe custody of TN government, coordinator of Child Line Imphal Mala Lisham said "We have talked to Tamil Nadu officials and they have confirmed us that the 27 children are safe and sound in their custody and that the kids' statements are being recorded with the help of an interpreter for doing the needful" .

A project of the ministry of women and child development, Child Line is a national, 24 hour, emergency telephone helpline and outreach service for children in need of care and protection.

So far one Henry has been identified as a top functionary of the Home from where the kids were rescued.

Henry, reportedly stayed in Manipur since 1992 and married a local woman, before leaving for his home State recently.

Tamil Nadu official reportedly found the home lacking basic amenities like bathrooms and toilets.

Talks on to bring home rescued children On the otherhand, an official of social welfare department, Government of Manipur said that after getting a signal from the Tamil Nadu government, a team of child activists and officials will be despatched to the southern State to bring back the kids to Manipur.

"We have also begun our own investigation to find out the culprits responsible for taking the kids away and keeping them at the unregistered home," the official maintained.

It may be noted that in recent times reports have been published of around 100 children from Manipur and belonging to poor families rescued from being transferred illegally and kept at unauthorized homes in Tamil Nadu.

The latest development occurs at such a time when the Child Line Imphal today kicked off a two-day mass publicity campaign on child trafficking at women market at Nagamapal in the heart of the capital.

"Besides spreading awareness campaign on the ills of child trafficking and illegal transfer of children outside the state which is rampant in Manipur, we also held short discussion and interaction with the women vendors," said Mala Lisham.

"Since the women vendors are daily bread earners who have no time to move out to join such programme, we moved into their business area and they have given much cooperation to our initiative," Mala added.

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