UP juvenile shelter officials under fire as video of bound kids surfaces online
Both Childline volunteers and shelter officials have defended the action, stating that the three boys were “violent and uncontrollable”.
Authorities of a juvenile shelter at Phaphamau in Allahabad are facing allegations of abuse over an Internet video clip that showed three inmates sitting on the floor with their hands and legs tied up.
Childline (Railway) officials had “rescued” the trio – brothers aged between 13 and 14 years – from the Allahabad Junction railway station on May 24, and admitted them to the Kalyan Seva Samiti juvenile shelter. The clip found itself on the Internet the very next day, leading to allegations of torture and abuse.
Both Childline (railway) volunteers and shelter officials have defended the action, stating that the three boys were “violent and uncontrollable”. They said one of the juveniles bit a Childline volunteer who was escorting them, while another tried to strangle his colleague.
“One of my volunteers called me on my cellphone that day, and said they were being repeatedly attacked by the boys. I asked the volunteers to somehow produce them before the Child Welfare Committee, and then take them to the shelter,” said Allahabad Childline (Railway) director Ajeet Singh.
The official said they had no choice but to tie up the boys, given how they were assaulting others around them. “However, the representative of an illegal NGO made a video clip,” he added.
District probationary officer Pankaj Mishra said the three brothers hailed from Begusarai in Bihar. They had come to Allahabad to meet a man who allegedly promised them jobs.
“The boys’ uncle arrived today and took them home. I have issued a warning to the NGO activist who circulated the video clip,” Mishra added.