Apna Ghar inmate turns violent
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The authorities at Apna Ghar, Merces, lodged a police complaint against an 18-year-old inmate for turning violent. According to Old Goa
police, officials of Apna Ghar said that one Cyrone Rodrigues who recently turned 18 complained that he was feeling unwell. However when a nurse approached him, he allegedy turned violent.
"They also alleged that he damaged the tube-lights," a police officer said. Rodrigues was admitted to the home after police detained him in crimal cases when he was a minor. The police said that he was allegedly involved in a theft case at Marcel and other cases at Porvorim, Pernem and Panaji. The police are conducting further investigations.
28 Feb 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Showing posts with label Apna ghar;Children Rights;Goa;Journalist;Journalism;Goa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Apna ghar;Children Rights;Goa;Journalist;Journalism;Goa. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Abuse charge on Apna Ghar caretakers
Abuse charge on Apna Ghar caretakers
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The Dickensian nightmares from the Merces-based juvenile home Apna Ghar continue to pour out with Children’s Rights in Goa, an NGO, on
Saturday filing a police complaint against two caretakers for allegedly abusing and assaulting two minor boys over four months ago.
The complaint follows an inquiry report submitted on February 16 by the principal magistrate of the Juvenile Justice Board to the Women and Child Development department for “action and compliance” in the matter. On October 6, 2008, the CRG filed an application before the JJB for an inquiry into an incident, three days prior, where two minors were allegedly assaulted and abused by caretakers Raju and Minguel.
22 Feb 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The Dickensian nightmares from the Merces-based juvenile home Apna Ghar continue to pour out with Children’s Rights in Goa, an NGO, on
Saturday filing a police complaint against two caretakers for allegedly abusing and assaulting two minor boys over four months ago.
The complaint follows an inquiry report submitted on February 16 by the principal magistrate of the Juvenile Justice Board to the Women and Child Development department for “action and compliance” in the matter. On October 6, 2008, the CRG filed an application before the JJB for an inquiry into an incident, three days prior, where two minors were allegedly assaulted and abused by caretakers Raju and Minguel.
22 Feb 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
'I felt safer with cops than at Apna Ghar'
'I felt safer with cops than at Apna Ghar'
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The 17-year-old boy from Assam, who was arrested by the Mormugao police, said that he felt safer with the police than with staffers at Apna Ghar.
The minor was arrested for criminal trespass and intent to commit a criminal offence when he entered the Navy premises at Bogda near Sada. He was later sent to Apna Ghar from where he went missing on January 6, but later "surrendered himself to the police". He was released on bail last Saturday by the district sessions judge at Panaji.
"I escaped as I feared for my life. I was scared and felt unsafe at Apna Ghar as I was constantly beaten by three boys in conflict with law there. Even when I complained to the authorities, no one offered to help me. After some time I stopped complaining for the fear that they would beat me up badly," he said. There were six more children residing with him in the room at Apna Ghar, of which three used to bully him.
"If I was sleeping, they would lift the bed and shake it. If I sat in a corner and read a book, they would come suddenly and beat me up. I was helpless as most of the time I was kept locked in the room along with the boys " he said.
The minor said that he seized an opportunity to escape on the afternoon of January 6 while the rest of the boys were watching television. "The boys who used to bully me, had earlier broken the window grill to escape and had put a cloth over it to conceal their act. They threatened me not to open my mouth and said that they had plans to escape that night. When I was alone in the room, I thought that this was the only opportunity to escape. I then jumped from the window and climbed over the boundary wall and escaped. Someone screamed out while I was escaping, but I just ran away," said the minor.
He revealed that he later walked to Panaji bus stand from where he took a bus to Margao. From Margao he took a train to Vasco and was loitering near the Vasco police station when he was apprehended by police. He was sent back to the Apna Ghar. Once there, it was another tale of horror for the boy. "Although I was kept in a separate room this time, the three boys were upset and they threatened to kill me. They even hit me while I was going for lunch one afternoon. But this time the staff intervened, " he added.
"So far, I am not aware of this matter as it has not been brought to my notice," said the director of women and child development, Sanjiv Gadkar, when contacted by TOI.
January 21,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The 17-year-old boy from Assam, who was arrested by the Mormugao police, said that he felt safer with the police than with staffers at Apna Ghar.
The minor was arrested for criminal trespass and intent to commit a criminal offence when he entered the Navy premises at Bogda near Sada. He was later sent to Apna Ghar from where he went missing on January 6, but later "surrendered himself to the police". He was released on bail last Saturday by the district sessions judge at Panaji.
"I escaped as I feared for my life. I was scared and felt unsafe at Apna Ghar as I was constantly beaten by three boys in conflict with law there. Even when I complained to the authorities, no one offered to help me. After some time I stopped complaining for the fear that they would beat me up badly," he said. There were six more children residing with him in the room at Apna Ghar, of which three used to bully him.
"If I was sleeping, they would lift the bed and shake it. If I sat in a corner and read a book, they would come suddenly and beat me up. I was helpless as most of the time I was kept locked in the room along with the boys " he said.
The minor said that he seized an opportunity to escape on the afternoon of January 6 while the rest of the boys were watching television. "The boys who used to bully me, had earlier broken the window grill to escape and had put a cloth over it to conceal their act. They threatened me not to open my mouth and said that they had plans to escape that night. When I was alone in the room, I thought that this was the only opportunity to escape. I then jumped from the window and climbed over the boundary wall and escaped. Someone screamed out while I was escaping, but I just ran away," said the minor.
He revealed that he later walked to Panaji bus stand from where he took a bus to Margao. From Margao he took a train to Vasco and was loitering near the Vasco police station when he was apprehended by police. He was sent back to the Apna Ghar. Once there, it was another tale of horror for the boy. "Although I was kept in a separate room this time, the three boys were upset and they threatened to kill me. They even hit me while I was going for lunch one afternoon. But this time the staff intervened, " he added.
"So far, I am not aware of this matter as it has not been brought to my notice," said the director of women and child development, Sanjiv Gadkar, when contacted by TOI.
January 21,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Monday, January 12, 2009
‘Kids not given chance to reform’
‘Kids not given chance to reform’
Panaji: Apna Ghar was started to ensure development and rehabilitation of neglected or delinquent juveniles, however, past inquiries have revealed complaints of abuse by inmates.
Snehlata Bhatikar, a member of the juvenile justice board said, “The approach towards children at Apna Ghar is punitive, as if they are in prison. They are treated like thieves and never given an opportunity to improve. The staff often beat the children, misbehave with them and use abusive language, due to which children turn aggressive, beat up others or create a ruckus.”
An inquiry conducted by the JJB in 2007 on a previous complaint of assault by fellow mates at Apna Ghar, revealed that the juvenile was “sodomized by an inmate of the observation home and subjected to oral sex by other inmates”.
The report also stated that “the safety of the child has not been looked into inspite of his repeated complaints about the abuse to the staff of observation home”. Says Bhatikar, “At present kids abuse others at Apna Ghar and if this continues it won’t be long before we hear of juvenile delinquents killing others, or committing suicide. In the last few months several children either escaped from the home or were sent to IPHB for treatment. This needs to be investigated as it defeats the purpose of having a state run home to protect and correct children.”
Women and Child director Sanjiv Gadkar, however, pleads ignorance of such incidents at Apna Ghar. He said, “I have not received any report of any assault by any child at Apna Ghar.”
Staff of Apna Ghar too have been accused of abusing minors. Recently, Children’s Rights in Goa, an NGO working with children in the state moved an application for a magisterial inquiry before the JJB.
The complaint says that during their visit to Apna Ghar on October 4, 2008, they were informed that one of the inmates was admitted at the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour, Bambolim after being assaulted.
“On probing the incident it was revealed that two juveniles were assaulted by the care taker of Apna Ghar with a cricket stump. One was hit on the head and his hands and sustained grievous injuries,” says the complaint.
The NGO’s application states that this happened because the juveniles insisted they wanted to watch TV. So far, no order has been passed.
January 12,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Panaji: Apna Ghar was started to ensure development and rehabilitation of neglected or delinquent juveniles, however, past inquiries have revealed complaints of abuse by inmates.
Snehlata Bhatikar, a member of the juvenile justice board said, “The approach towards children at Apna Ghar is punitive, as if they are in prison. They are treated like thieves and never given an opportunity to improve. The staff often beat the children, misbehave with them and use abusive language, due to which children turn aggressive, beat up others or create a ruckus.”
An inquiry conducted by the JJB in 2007 on a previous complaint of assault by fellow mates at Apna Ghar, revealed that the juvenile was “sodomized by an inmate of the observation home and subjected to oral sex by other inmates”.
The report also stated that “the safety of the child has not been looked into inspite of his repeated complaints about the abuse to the staff of observation home”. Says Bhatikar, “At present kids abuse others at Apna Ghar and if this continues it won’t be long before we hear of juvenile delinquents killing others, or committing suicide. In the last few months several children either escaped from the home or were sent to IPHB for treatment. This needs to be investigated as it defeats the purpose of having a state run home to protect and correct children.”
Women and Child director Sanjiv Gadkar, however, pleads ignorance of such incidents at Apna Ghar. He said, “I have not received any report of any assault by any child at Apna Ghar.”
Staff of Apna Ghar too have been accused of abusing minors. Recently, Children’s Rights in Goa, an NGO working with children in the state moved an application for a magisterial inquiry before the JJB.
The complaint says that during their visit to Apna Ghar on October 4, 2008, they were informed that one of the inmates was admitted at the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour, Bambolim after being assaulted.
“On probing the incident it was revealed that two juveniles were assaulted by the care taker of Apna Ghar with a cricket stump. One was hit on the head and his hands and sustained grievous injuries,” says the complaint.
The NGO’s application states that this happened because the juveniles insisted they wanted to watch TV. So far, no order has been passed.
January 12,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Inmates’ safety an issue at Apna Ghar
Inmates’ safety an issue at Apna Ghar
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The minor Assamese boy who ran away from Apna Ghar last week claimed he was “assaulted” at the observation home. He is not the first to make such an allegation, and past inquiries have found evidence to confirm such complaints.
The boy had been sent to Apna Ghar for criminal trespass at the naval premises in Bogda, Vasco and intent to commit a criminal offence. The bail application filed by before the juvenile justice board (JJB) on Friday after his rearrest, at the Vasco railway station, states that he was “assaulted” at Apna Ghar. The principal magistrate orally instructed the Apna Ghar staff to ensure that the boy was “given protection”.
Apna Ghar was established with the objective of providing care, protection, treatment, development and rehabilitation of neglected or delinquent juveniles, and for the adjudication of matters relating to children in conflict with the law, but it seems that the goal has not been achieved. ‘Kids not given chance to reform’
Panaji: Apna Ghar was started to ensure development and rehabilitation of neglected or delinquent juveniles, however, past inquiries have revealed complaints of abuse by inmates.
Snehlata Bhatikar, a member of the juvenile justice board said, “The approach towards children at Apna Ghar is punitive, as if they are in prison. They are treated like thieves and never given an opportunity to improve. The staff often beat the children, misbehave with them and use abusive language, due to which children turn aggressive, beat up others or create a ruckus.”
An inquiry conducted by the JJB in 2007 on a previous complaint of assault by fellow mates at Apna Ghar, revealed that the juvenile was “sodomized by an inmate of the observation home and subjected to oral sex by other inmates”.
The report also stated that “the safety of the child has not been looked into inspite of his repeated complaints about the abuse to the staff of observation home”. Says Bhatikar, “At present kids abuse others at Apna Ghar and if this continues it won’t be long before we hear of juvenile delinquents killing others, or committing suicide. In the last few months several children either escaped from the home or were sent to IPHB for treatment. This needs to be investigated as it defeats the purpose of having a state run home to protect and correct children.”
Women and Child director Sanjiv Gadkar, however, pleads ignorance of such incidents at Apna Ghar. He said, “I have not received any report of any assault by any child at Apna Ghar.”
Staff of Apna Ghar too have been accused of abusing minors. Recently, Children’s Rights in Goa, an NGO working with children in the state moved an application for a magisterial inquiry before the JJB.
The complaint says that during their visit to Apna Ghar on October 4, 2008, they were informed that one of the inmates was admitted at the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour, Bambolim after being assaulted.
“On probing the incident it was revealed that two juveniles were assaulted by the care taker of Apna Ghar with a cricket stump. One was hit on the head and his hands and sustained grievous injuries,” says the complaint.
The NGO’s application states that this happened because the juveniles insisted they wanted to watch TV. So far, no order has been passed.
January 12,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The minor Assamese boy who ran away from Apna Ghar last week claimed he was “assaulted” at the observation home. He is not the first to make such an allegation, and past inquiries have found evidence to confirm such complaints.
The boy had been sent to Apna Ghar for criminal trespass at the naval premises in Bogda, Vasco and intent to commit a criminal offence. The bail application filed by before the juvenile justice board (JJB) on Friday after his rearrest, at the Vasco railway station, states that he was “assaulted” at Apna Ghar. The principal magistrate orally instructed the Apna Ghar staff to ensure that the boy was “given protection”.
Apna Ghar was established with the objective of providing care, protection, treatment, development and rehabilitation of neglected or delinquent juveniles, and for the adjudication of matters relating to children in conflict with the law, but it seems that the goal has not been achieved. ‘Kids not given chance to reform’
Panaji: Apna Ghar was started to ensure development and rehabilitation of neglected or delinquent juveniles, however, past inquiries have revealed complaints of abuse by inmates.
Snehlata Bhatikar, a member of the juvenile justice board said, “The approach towards children at Apna Ghar is punitive, as if they are in prison. They are treated like thieves and never given an opportunity to improve. The staff often beat the children, misbehave with them and use abusive language, due to which children turn aggressive, beat up others or create a ruckus.”
An inquiry conducted by the JJB in 2007 on a previous complaint of assault by fellow mates at Apna Ghar, revealed that the juvenile was “sodomized by an inmate of the observation home and subjected to oral sex by other inmates”.
The report also stated that “the safety of the child has not been looked into inspite of his repeated complaints about the abuse to the staff of observation home”. Says Bhatikar, “At present kids abuse others at Apna Ghar and if this continues it won’t be long before we hear of juvenile delinquents killing others, or committing suicide. In the last few months several children either escaped from the home or were sent to IPHB for treatment. This needs to be investigated as it defeats the purpose of having a state run home to protect and correct children.”
Women and Child director Sanjiv Gadkar, however, pleads ignorance of such incidents at Apna Ghar. He said, “I have not received any report of any assault by any child at Apna Ghar.”
Staff of Apna Ghar too have been accused of abusing minors. Recently, Children’s Rights in Goa, an NGO working with children in the state moved an application for a magisterial inquiry before the JJB.
The complaint says that during their visit to Apna Ghar on October 4, 2008, they were informed that one of the inmates was admitted at the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour, Bambolim after being assaulted.
“On probing the incident it was revealed that two juveniles were assaulted by the care taker of Apna Ghar with a cricket stump. One was hit on the head and his hands and sustained grievous injuries,” says the complaint.
The NGO’s application states that this happened because the juveniles insisted they wanted to watch TV. So far, no order has been passed.
January 12,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Monday, November 24, 2008
Plans to relocate Merces protective home under way
Plans to relocate Merces protective home under way
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: With the protective home at Merces becoming increasingly unsafe for the housing of women rescued from trafficking, there is a proposal to shift the home from Merces to Asilo hospital premise at Mapusa, as “it is found to be safe and protective”.
With more than 22 inmates rescued by police and NGOs running away from the old, dilapidated home at Merces, panel members elected under section 17 (5) of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act suggested in a meeting last month that the department for women and child development should move a proposal to the government that part of the Asilo building be used as protective home, which is found to be safe and protective.
The meeting, called to tackle the escape of inmates from the state protective home, was called for by the director of women and child development and attended by sub-divisional magistrates of Panaji, Mapusa and Quepem, members of NGOs and the superintendent of the protective home .
Eight women who were rescued from commercial sexual exploitation escaped from the gallery of the rescue and shelter home at Merces, by bending some of the structures grills on August 9. In 2006, seven persons had escaped from the home. Activists working with the rescued women said that the major reason for their actions can be attributed to a lack of commitment by the government to rehabilitate women rescued from commercial sexual exploitation and sheltered at the protective home.
With the present home being in a dilapidated state, authorities face several difficulties in taking corrective measures to ensure that no one escapes from the premises and inmates are protected. Incidentally, the home belongs to the Provedoria.
Further, to curb the problem of inmates escaping from the home, it has been recommended that the staff should be trained. The government has also sanctioned additional staff for the protective home as the current strength was inadequate. The staff at the home comprise a superintendent, matron, three escorts, two security guards and a watchman, in addition to two lady constables.
At the meeting, it was also decided that once the new staff was recruited, arrangements would be made to post at least one matron at night at the protective home.
Besides, it has also been decided that in case of emergency or escape, the staff on duty should not only inform the authorities but immediately dial 100. There is also a proposal submitted to the government to provide mobile phones to the protective home, besides increasing patrolling by the police in the area.
November 24,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: With the protective home at Merces becoming increasingly unsafe for the housing of women rescued from trafficking, there is a proposal to shift the home from Merces to Asilo hospital premise at Mapusa, as “it is found to be safe and protective”.
With more than 22 inmates rescued by police and NGOs running away from the old, dilapidated home at Merces, panel members elected under section 17 (5) of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act suggested in a meeting last month that the department for women and child development should move a proposal to the government that part of the Asilo building be used as protective home, which is found to be safe and protective.
The meeting, called to tackle the escape of inmates from the state protective home, was called for by the director of women and child development and attended by sub-divisional magistrates of Panaji, Mapusa and Quepem, members of NGOs and the superintendent of the protective home .
Eight women who were rescued from commercial sexual exploitation escaped from the gallery of the rescue and shelter home at Merces, by bending some of the structures grills on August 9. In 2006, seven persons had escaped from the home. Activists working with the rescued women said that the major reason for their actions can be attributed to a lack of commitment by the government to rehabilitate women rescued from commercial sexual exploitation and sheltered at the protective home.
With the present home being in a dilapidated state, authorities face several difficulties in taking corrective measures to ensure that no one escapes from the premises and inmates are protected. Incidentally, the home belongs to the Provedoria.
Further, to curb the problem of inmates escaping from the home, it has been recommended that the staff should be trained. The government has also sanctioned additional staff for the protective home as the current strength was inadequate. The staff at the home comprise a superintendent, matron, three escorts, two security guards and a watchman, in addition to two lady constables.
At the meeting, it was also decided that once the new staff was recruited, arrangements would be made to post at least one matron at night at the protective home.
Besides, it has also been decided that in case of emergency or escape, the staff on duty should not only inform the authorities but immediately dial 100. There is also a proposal submitted to the government to provide mobile phones to the protective home, besides increasing patrolling by the police in the area.
November 24,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Goa Children:‘Lack of counselling cause of violence’
APNA GHAR BLUES
‘Lack of counselling cause of violence’
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: A 17-year-old boy was admitted to the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB) after he broke the window panes and tube-lights of his room at Apna Ghar, the state’s juvenile remand home at Ribandar.
The staff at the remand home justified the transfer on grounds that the youngster had a “violent” character. He went on the rampage after he wasn’t allowed to watch television.
At the IPHB, doctors diagnosed the youngster’s behaviour as merely a case of “conduct disorder” (triggered by immediate circumstances) rather than one of violence.
The youngster’s case isn’t a one-off.
Doctors at the IPHB say juveniles are repeatedly referred to the institute. “Once in two months, one or two juveniles from Apna Ghar are admitted here. A majority of them suffer from conduct disorders, as they are street children who are not exposed to proper care and shelter,” says IPHB medical superintendent B S Cuncoliencar.
At Apna Ghar, Juvenile Justice Board member Snehlata Bhatikar says delinquents go through tremendous trauma at the remand home as there is no counsellor at the campus to talk to and understand their apprehensions and anxiety.
“Besides, the approach of the staff being punitive, they ill-treat them. This drives the juvenile into a rebellious stage where they break gadgets and windows. Children learn to blackmail and when that fails, they rebel,” adds Bhatikar.
Explaining the reasons for such behaviour, Dr Nandita de Souza of Sethu Centre for Child Development and Family Guidance says, “Children misbehave either due to the development or emotional causes within them or due to the causes outside them such as family, home, friends, role models. Children want attention, power and control.”
Apart from this, some children also have addictions. “These children are often addicted to sniffing glue or drinking. The place where they are locked up only aggravates the situation as they are not provided with any skill or services for gainful employment once released,” says Arun Pandey, of NGO ARZ.
“The juveniles at Apna Ghar have no activity. They are allowed to play for just one hour everyday. They are not sent to school and spend most of the time in the prison-like room,”
says Bhatikar.
Director, Women and Child Development, Sanjiv Gadkar, says the government is aware of the problem and is working towards improving the situation.
The remand home presently has courses in craft, tailoring and clay modelling. Occasionally, a three-month course in cookery and baking is also taught.
“We are in talks with the Government Polytechnic College to start short-duration skillbased courses that will convince the children not to go back to their old ways,” assures Gadkar. These courses will include mobile repairs, data entry, making of novelty items, quilts, soft toys and coir articles and beautician courses.
October 23, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
‘Lack of counselling cause of violence’
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: A 17-year-old boy was admitted to the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB) after he broke the window panes and tube-lights of his room at Apna Ghar, the state’s juvenile remand home at Ribandar.
The staff at the remand home justified the transfer on grounds that the youngster had a “violent” character. He went on the rampage after he wasn’t allowed to watch television.
At the IPHB, doctors diagnosed the youngster’s behaviour as merely a case of “conduct disorder” (triggered by immediate circumstances) rather than one of violence.
The youngster’s case isn’t a one-off.
Doctors at the IPHB say juveniles are repeatedly referred to the institute. “Once in two months, one or two juveniles from Apna Ghar are admitted here. A majority of them suffer from conduct disorders, as they are street children who are not exposed to proper care and shelter,” says IPHB medical superintendent B S Cuncoliencar.
At Apna Ghar, Juvenile Justice Board member Snehlata Bhatikar says delinquents go through tremendous trauma at the remand home as there is no counsellor at the campus to talk to and understand their apprehensions and anxiety.
“Besides, the approach of the staff being punitive, they ill-treat them. This drives the juvenile into a rebellious stage where they break gadgets and windows. Children learn to blackmail and when that fails, they rebel,” adds Bhatikar.
Explaining the reasons for such behaviour, Dr Nandita de Souza of Sethu Centre for Child Development and Family Guidance says, “Children misbehave either due to the development or emotional causes within them or due to the causes outside them such as family, home, friends, role models. Children want attention, power and control.”
Apart from this, some children also have addictions. “These children are often addicted to sniffing glue or drinking. The place where they are locked up only aggravates the situation as they are not provided with any skill or services for gainful employment once released,” says Arun Pandey, of NGO ARZ.
“The juveniles at Apna Ghar have no activity. They are allowed to play for just one hour everyday. They are not sent to school and spend most of the time in the prison-like room,”
says Bhatikar.
Director, Women and Child Development, Sanjiv Gadkar, says the government is aware of the problem and is working towards improving the situation.
The remand home presently has courses in craft, tailoring and clay modelling. Occasionally, a three-month course in cookery and baking is also taught.
“We are in talks with the Government Polytechnic College to start short-duration skillbased courses that will convince the children not to go back to their old ways,” assures Gadkar. These courses will include mobile repairs, data entry, making of novelty items, quilts, soft toys and coir articles and beautician courses.
October 23, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
In Goa 108 Juveniles ‘Locked Up’ At The Home; Water, Beds Scarce
Apna Ghar wards live in dismal conditions
108 Juveniles ‘Locked Up’ At The Home; Water, Beds Scarce
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Children, whether in conflict with law or in need of care and shelter are “lockedup” at the government run children’s home — Apna Ghar, where conditions are pitiable.
On a visit to Apna Ghar, TOI discovered 108 children, 56 of them girls, “rescued” from various situations. Ten of the boys were juveniles in conflict with the law.
A stink greets any visitor to the building, the reason being the lack of adequate water. The toilet doors are broken and the urinals have water up to ankle level.
This was taken up by the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR). “We have written to the minister of women and child development regarding the condition of the rooms and brought to his notice that the toilet is unhygenic and the water supply erratic. We have demanded that they install grills for the windows, so that the children don’t escape,” said GSCPCR chairperson Sameera Kazi.
“We are repairing the main water tank and improving the other facilities. We are trying to give them a safe environment in the best possible way,” said Sanjiv Gadkar, director of women and child development.
“Apna Ghar is like a prison and not a reformation home. It is a jail from which small time juveniles leave as big time criminals,” alleges juvenile justice board member Snehalata Bhatikar.
However, Gadkar denied this saying, “It is not correct to call it a jail as we don’t keep the juveniles in a closed room. We have to keep them lockedup as they break window panes and destroy everything in their vicinity if left in the open. There is also a toddler section. Who will bear responsibility if any harm is caused to them?”
Boys in conflict with the law and those in need of care are “locked-up” in separate rooms. This comprises a fan in working condition albeit without proper beds. All the girls, on the other hand, are housed in a single room.
The switchboard in the room where lads in conflict with the law are put up, is broken with wires dangling. The broken window panes are the work of, “the children themselves”, reveal authorities.
Gadkar said, “It is difficult to control so many children. If we don’t deter them from the wrong path now, it’s an open invitation for them to do whatever they want in the future. We definitely don’t want them to regress to their previous situations.”
Bhatikar, however, begged to differ. She said, “There are no facilities to improve their present or future whereby they can be gainfully employed.” In fact, the only activity for the children is an hour of games every evening and if they desire, they are taught pottery or needle work.
October 22, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
108 Juveniles ‘Locked Up’ At The Home; Water, Beds Scarce
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Children, whether in conflict with law or in need of care and shelter are “lockedup” at the government run children’s home — Apna Ghar, where conditions are pitiable.
On a visit to Apna Ghar, TOI discovered 108 children, 56 of them girls, “rescued” from various situations. Ten of the boys were juveniles in conflict with the law.
A stink greets any visitor to the building, the reason being the lack of adequate water. The toilet doors are broken and the urinals have water up to ankle level.
This was taken up by the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR). “We have written to the minister of women and child development regarding the condition of the rooms and brought to his notice that the toilet is unhygenic and the water supply erratic. We have demanded that they install grills for the windows, so that the children don’t escape,” said GSCPCR chairperson Sameera Kazi.
“We are repairing the main water tank and improving the other facilities. We are trying to give them a safe environment in the best possible way,” said Sanjiv Gadkar, director of women and child development.
“Apna Ghar is like a prison and not a reformation home. It is a jail from which small time juveniles leave as big time criminals,” alleges juvenile justice board member Snehalata Bhatikar.
However, Gadkar denied this saying, “It is not correct to call it a jail as we don’t keep the juveniles in a closed room. We have to keep them lockedup as they break window panes and destroy everything in their vicinity if left in the open. There is also a toddler section. Who will bear responsibility if any harm is caused to them?”
Boys in conflict with the law and those in need of care are “locked-up” in separate rooms. This comprises a fan in working condition albeit without proper beds. All the girls, on the other hand, are housed in a single room.
The switchboard in the room where lads in conflict with the law are put up, is broken with wires dangling. The broken window panes are the work of, “the children themselves”, reveal authorities.
Gadkar said, “It is difficult to control so many children. If we don’t deter them from the wrong path now, it’s an open invitation for them to do whatever they want in the future. We definitely don’t want them to regress to their previous situations.”
Bhatikar, however, begged to differ. She said, “There are no facilities to improve their present or future whereby they can be gainfully employed.” In fact, the only activity for the children is an hour of games every evening and if they desire, they are taught pottery or needle work.
October 22, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
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