Dhenkanal,Dec.02: Initiating action against the erring Good News India (GNI) shelter home located at Beltikri over sexual harassment of inmates by the staff, the district administration sealed it today.
A team comprising of district Child Welfare Committee (CWC) officials, Child Protection Officer (CPO) and local Tehsildar conducted the sealing process of the shelter home, which stared at around 6 am this morning. Local police assisted the team during the sealing also.
As per the report, all the inmates were shifted to two separate shelter homes located in Gobindpur and Borapada in 3 buses following the step.
Meanwhile, a team of BJP Mahila Morcha led by state president Pravati Parida also visited the shelter home this morning and condemned the rehabilitation of inmates in a hurry.
“We feel that the district administration was aware of the illegal activity of the Good News India (GNI) shelter home authorities but still remained silent,” alleged Parida.
Notably, the sexual harassment of minors at the hands of the authorities came to light on Friday after a group of inmates informed it to the media. Later, a joint team of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and District Child Protection Unit raided the shelter home and verified its documents.
During the verification it came to notice that the shelter home was operating in the area since past two years without a registration under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. At least 54 minor girls and 40 minor boys were residing in the shelter home.
Taking prompt action Odisha Women & Child Development Minister Prafulla Samal yesterday ordered for the closure of all shelter homes run by it in the State.
Prasanta Patnaik