A distressing case has surfaced in Bhopal, where 26 girls have gone missing from an unregistered children’s home, prompting serious allegations of religious conversion and illegal operations. Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has called for immediate action, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
Expressing concern over the disappearance of the girls from a children’s home operating without authorization in the Parwalia police station area, Chouhan urged the state government to address the matter urgently. “Considering the seriousness and sensitivity of the matter, I urge the government to take cognizance and take immediate action,” he emphasized.
An FIR has been lodged at the Parwaliya Sadak Police Station, naming Anil Methew, the manager of the unregistered children’s home, as the accused under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. Of the 68 registered girls aged between 6 and 18 years, 26 are reported missing, raising concerns about the unregistered and unauthorized functioning of the facility.
Priyank Kanoongo, the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) chief, has also addressed the alarming situation. Kanoongo alleged that the children in this illegal shelter home were coerced into practicing Christianity. In a social media post, Kanoongo revealed details of the inspection conducted at the illegal shelter, emphasizing that despite its unlicensed operations, the coordinating NGO had previously functioned akin to a government agency.
Expressing dismay over the reluctance of Madhya Pradesh’s women and child welfare department officials to address the issue, Kanoongo highlighted the predicament of running child helplines with the involvement of such NGOs.
The case has drawn attention to the vulnerability of minors in unregistered shelters, sparking concerns about their safety, unauthorized practices, and the alleged coercion into religious practices. The call for swift action resonates amid growing apprehension regarding the welfare of these missing girls and the circumstances surrounding their disappearance from the unlicensed children’s home in Bhopal.
Sources By Agencies
