IMPHAL, April 1: 23 children who were kept in an unfit condition at a children home at Jaipur in Rajasthan were brought to Imphal safe and sound, following which the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi visited and met the children directly.
The children were all between 6 and 20 years of age of a total 23 children, 14 are girls and 9 are boys. 19 children are from Ukhrul, one from Chandel and 3 from Tamenglong district. An official team led by Deputy Director of Social Welfare Department brought the children to Imphal. The Chief Minister Ibobi visited the observation home of the social welfare department at Takyelpat, Imphal where children were put up and met the children directly.The Chief Minister was accompanied by Social Welfare Minister Km. AK Mirabai Devi, Dr. J. Sureshbabu, Principal Secretary (Edn) during his visit.
During his meeting with the children, Chief Minister said that the children who were kept in an unfit condition and brought back to Imphal will be educated with the Government of Manipur establishing a residential school each in every district under SSA. He further added that the government will bear the responsibility for their books, uniform and food. “Not only these children but children of the family who died in encounters due to law and order situation of the state will be educated at these schools. Though the residential schools will be set up in every district, one or two schools will be established at first,” he added.
The CM further said that of those children who were returned from outside Manipur, some children were sent with the knowledge of parents due to their poverty. “However, child trafficking has become a national issue and the state government has paid a special attention to this matter,” he added. Doctors were called and they examined the children at the observation hall. CM also assured that if the need arises, the children will be taken to hospital for treatment.
The children meanwhile said that they were kept confined the Jaipur children home and were educated through the National Open School but they were made to prepare their own food and eat it.