Kerala
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Thiruvananthapuram
Observation Home inmates allege assault by caretaker
Friday, Oct 13, 2006
http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/13/stories/2006101321180300.htm
Staff Reporter
| Legislative committee members visit children |
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Children of the Observation Home at Poojappura here on Thursday raised fresh allegations of physical assault by a caretaker against a disabled inmate. The charges were made before a visiting team comprising members of the Legislative Committee for the Welfare of Women and Children.
The seven inmates of the Observation Home told the committee that one of their fellow members with speech and hearing impairment was routinely subjected to physical attacks by Sunil, a caretaker, who along with two others, is currently absconding. The team included committee chairperson K.K. Shylaja and member V. Sivankutty.
The team members who inspected the bruises on the victim, Ameer, 16, a resident of Beemappally, expressed their dismay and shock at the lack of effective intervention on the part of the Observation Home authorities to prevent the inhuman treatment.
"If this is how children are being treated in observation and special homes, how will they be reformed and become better citizens?" Ms. Shylaja asked the staff in front of a posse of mediapersons.
Mr. Sivankutty said the issue would be raised in the Assembly on Saturday. "We will take appropriate action against all those who are responsible for the incident," he said. The allegations of torture came to light after Chief Judicial Magistrate S. Soman paid a surprise visit to the observation home recently. Following his interaction with inmates, it was revealed that they were subjected to caning by the caretakers on a regular basis. There were also tell-tale marks of physical attack on their bodies, which prompted the magistrate to file a complaint with the police.
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"Ours is a battle not for wealth or for power.
It is a battle for freedom. It is a battle for the reclamation of human personality."
- Dr BR Ambedkar
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