Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 15 2008:
Three Manipuri boys, all under 15 years of age were rescued by Bangalore ChildLine and sent back to Imphal today.
Adanie (13), Habuni (11) and Apo (14) (all names changed), all hailing from Senapati district were rescued by Bangalore Child Line from Bethesda Home, 7th Cross 440, 9th Main Henmu Cross, Bangalore.
Narrating the woes to media persons at Child Line Imphal, the three boys said that they were brought in three separate instances starting May last year by one Besii of the same district to the city on the promise of providing education there.
It is said that Besii had also taken Rs 13000 each from each boy on instalment for their studies in the city.
However, Basii has not shown his face since they were handed over to the owner of the home.
Saying that they were staying with seven other boys from Karnataka, the boys further informed that they were constantly beaten up and not give enough food and clothing.
They were asked to do household works like washing cloth, watering plants, fetching water , cleaning house and cleaning of vessels and taking care of babies.
They further said that the foster caretaker used to kick them and often removed their cloths and beat up mercilessly with
belts.
The boys said that one of their mates did not like their foods and threw it into the dustbin.
But the caretaker forced the boy to eat the food from the dustbin.
On getting the information, members of Child Line Bangalore raided the home with the help of Bangalore Police on September 11 last and rescued the three boys.
The boys were sheltered at Association for Promoting Social Action (APSA) for some time.
The trio was then produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and an FIR had also been lodged against the caretaker.
After a complete assessment, the boys were then decided to deport to their native State through Child Line Imphal and thereby reaching Imphal this afternoon.
A spokesperson of the Child Line Imphal said that they will assess the conditions first and will decide whether to hand over to family or not as two of the boys are orphans.