Odisha orphanage that engaged inmates in begging demolished

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Jul 12, 2014 at 10:03 PM

Odisha Sun Times Bureau

Angul, July 12:

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The district administration in Odisha’s Angul district today demolished the Jagannath Sishu Vikas Sevashram at Kuio village after it was established in the course of inquiry that the sevashram had been engaging its inmates for begging, official sources said.

The administration had earlier ordered the shutting down of the orphanage after the shocking revelation.

District administration sources said all inmates of the concerned sevashram had been shifted to other sevashrams and residential schools in the district.

A case had been registered against the authorities of the sevashram at Angul police station by the district administration, the sources added.

The district administration’s action came after District Social Welfare Officer, member Child Protection Cell and District Child Welfare Officer submitted their inquiry report on the incident to the district collector.

The shocking revelation of the Sevashram engaging its inmates for begging came to light after the Angul district administration rescued two children, who were allegedly thrown out of the Sevashram for refusing to beg and the report was highlighted on Kanak TV and OST.

The little inmates of the Sevashram had alleged that they were forced to beg by the orphanage authorities and abused and thrashed when they declined to do so.

Shockingly, the secretary of Jagannath Sishu Vikas Sevashram, Bhagban Hembrum had admitted of inmates were indeed asked to beg for alms.

The Sevashram had been operating in Kuio village since 2010.The Sevashram used to get destitute children from far flung districts of Keonjhar, Sundergarh, Mayurbhanj and nearby Dhenkanal with a promise to build their lives by providing them with shelter and education but used them for begging instead.

OHRC acting chairperson Justice BK Mishra and Commission member BK Pattanaik have sought an immediate report on the case from the Angul collector acting on a petition filed by human rights activist Padipta Nayak in the case on July 9.