E-Paper
Four Bihar kids rescued from Ludhiana shelter home, yet to be reunited with parents
The children are presently staying in a government-approved shelter home at Doraha, 24 km from Ludhiana.
Parents and guardians of four children from Bihar, who were rescued from Packiam Mercy Cross Child Shelter Home in Phullanwal near Ludhiana on August 20, rue that they are not being allowed to meet the kids. The children are presently staying in a government-approved shelter home at Doraha, 24 km from Ludhiana.
Joseph Tuddu of Katihar district in Bihar, who claims to be the father of Andrew, 13, and Asha, 11, said he was running from pillar to post since August 17 to meet his children. “I even showed my Aadhaar card to the child welfare officer, but in vain,” he said.
Joseph, who is a marginal farmer, had sent his son in 2011 and daughter in 2014 to the shelter home for “better education”.
“The reports that children were being used for generating donations are not true. I was paying for the education of my children,” said Joseph.
Sonu and Nandlal, both orphans hailing Gaya district of Bihar, are also staying in the Doraha shelter home. Sonu’s uncle said he was not allowed to meet his nephew, while Nandlal’s relatives have left the city.
District child welfare officer Rashmi Saini said: “The children will be produced before the child welfare committee of Katihar. We will soon send a team to Bihar to hand over the children to the committee, after which the children will be handed over to the parents and guardians.”
