27 Manipuri kids rescued

NAGAPATTINAM: Officials of Social Welfare Department in the district rescued 27 Manipuri children from an ‘unrecognised’ Children’s Home near Porayar on Friday night.

The rescued children, including 9 girls, were aged between 3 and 13. According to sources, Henry, a native of Keezhaiyur near Mayiladuthurai, had gone to Manipur during 1992 and had married a Manipuri woman. He had reportedly registered a trust named ‘Bethel Development Trust’ in that State.

About seven months ago, Henry had returned back to his native with his family. He had brought with him 27 Manipuri children and had started a children’s home at Madapuram village near Porayar.

Henry had reportedly obtained clearance from the Union government to receive financial assistance from foreign countries.

He had subsequently sent an application to district Social Welfare Department for registering his home.

A team of officials from the Department, led by District Social Welfare Officer Anbazhagi and Mayiladuthuari Child Protection Officer Venkatraman, inspected the home at Madapuram on Thursday.

The team found that the home lacked basic amenities, including toilets and bathrooms. The officials also felt that as the children had been brought to a place which significantly differs in custom and culture of Manipur, they will be mentally affected.

After consulting the District Collector and SP, the officials decided to send the children to Government Home immediately.

Accordingly, the children were rescued under the direct supervision of Mayiladuthurai DSP Ramakrishnan.

Meanwhile, Henry has claimed that his intention was only to serve the children and he had not indulged in any fraudulent or illegal activities.