By Alex Guite
LAMKA, May 2: Three children aged between 12 and 14, who had run away from their houses at Kholien Village, near Sajik Tampak in Chandel district dreading the daily beatings by their parents, were picked up by a member of the Manipur Alliance for Child Right, CCpur Chapter.
Convener, MACRCC Dr, Nicky Thanga said that the three were friends and had left their village on foot on April 26.
On reaching Sangaiot via Sugnu, the three were picked up by a trucker, he said before adding that MACRCC member, Jaffrey took them to the observation home and then arranged for them to stay at the Mercy Society Children Home, Nehru Marg, Lamka.
One of the three has been handed over to his parents after a stern warning to his parent that the alliance will be minutely monitoring their treatment of their son, he said.
The boy agreed to return considering his sister’s condition.
Recounting the boy’s story, Nicky Thanga said the boy was beaten everyday by his drunkard parents.
The boy was forced to buy liquor at odd hours, leading him to find refuge inside a nearby forest taking along his three and half year old sister along with him, Nicky Thanga said.
However, when they return home they would suffer another bout of beating, he observed.
Another boy, 12 year old Tom (name changed), who is also from the same locality was constantly subjected to beatings by his drunkard father who has his custody following divorce from the boy’s mother, he said.
This forced Tom to leave his home, he observed.
The third boy Harry (name changed) who is 14 years old had to stay with his uncle after his mother got married, however, constant beatings by his uncle and aunt forced Harry to leave his house.
While the first boy has been handed over to his parents, the two Tom and Harry are presently provided shelter at the Mercy Home located at Nehru Marg.
Nicky Thanga also said that the boys were often asked by their fathers to go and bring alcohol without any money and if they fail to do so, they were thrashed.