Panel orders Phayeng orphans' stay at Senapati

Panel orders Phayeng orphans' stay at Senapati

Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 05 2010: At the aspiration of the three surviving children of Angom Chanbi, who was found abandoned after being brutally murdered along with her daughter Meneka at Phayeng, Child Welfare Committee, Imphal West has issued an interim order for their stay at Damdai Children Home in Senapati district.

After a team of 39 Assam Rifles reportedly took away the three orphaned children for adoption, there has been a hue and cry among some sections of the society on the adoption without any necessary legal procedure.

To discuss and finalise where the three children would put up, a joint meeting attended by Director of Social Welfare Department, Commandant and Captain of 39 Assam Rifles, representatives of MBC, family members of the children, representatives of Damdai Children Home, Child Line, Imphal and Child Welfare Committee, Imphal West was held at the conference hall of Social Welfare Department today.

After the meeting and in due consideration of the aspiration of the three children, Child Welfare Committee, Imphal West issued the interim order for their stay at Damdai Children Home.

Later, talking to The Sangai Express in this regard, Chairperson of Child Welfare Committee, Imphal West Annie Mangsatabam observed that the gesture of the Assam Rifles to adopt and take the responsibility of looking after the three orphaned children is praiseworthy.

However, taking away the children for adoption simply on the basis of some verbal assurance given to the family members is illegal.

So the joint meeting attended by Director of Social Welfare and officials of 39 Assam Rifles among others was convened to discuss the issues related to the welfare of the three children and after taking into account of their aspiration an interim order has been issued for putting the children at Damdai Children Home in Senapati district.

It is a Government recognised children home and the three siblings would be able to stay together, Annie informed.

A team of the Child Welfare Committee, Imphal West had also reportedly visited Phayeng for a spot inquiry today.