Understanding the Disappearance of 26 Girls: Illegal Children’s Home in Bhopal Sparks Urgent Action
In a concerning turn of events, 26 girls have gone missing from an unregistered children’s home in Bhopal, prompting former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to demand swift action from the government. The illegal facility, located in the Parwalia police station area, has raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of the children.
A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed at the Parwaliya Sadak Police Station under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. The accused, Anil Methew, identified as the manager of the children’s home, faces legal consequences for the unauthorized operation of the facility. Out of the 68 girls registered at the home, aged between 6 and 18 years, a staggering 26 are reported missing.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed the gravity of the situation and called for immediate government intervention to address the disappearance of the girls. The FIR highlights that the children’s home was not operating under the proper legal framework, posing additional challenges to the investigation.
National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) chief Priyank Kanoongo has actively engaged with the matter, addressing the issue on social media. Kanoongo raised concerns about the illegal shelter home allegedly forcing children to practice Christianity. The inspection revealed that the facility, operated by missionaries, lacked the necessary license for its operations.
In a social media post, Kanoongo detailed the irregularities found during the inspection, emphasizing that the majority of the children were Hindus. Despite the challenges faced in registering the FIR, Kanoongo remains steadfast in ensuring accountability for the illegal shelter home. The involvement of NGOs, particularly in child welfare, has also come under scrutiny, with concerns raised about their collaboration with government agencies.
The situation demands urgent attention and coordinated efforts from authorities to locate the missing girls, address the violations of child rights, and take appropriate actions against those responsible for the illegal operation of the children’s home. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilant oversight in child welfare institutions to prevent such unfortunate events in the future.