The CDPOs later handed over the children to their relatives in presence of the members of the District Child Welfare Committee and WODICHEE, an NGO.
The DCPO of Hailakandi, Parinita Hazarika informed that all the children were rescued by a team of government officials of Haryana from the Yogashram. The children have been identified as Pradip Reang (11) of Unakuti district of Tripura, Ravi Reang (11) of Kolashib district of Mizoram, Dharmendra Reang (11), Kusha Reang (15) and Hiren Reang (10) of Hailakandi district of Assam. Dharmendra, Kusha and Hiren are the residents of Riflemarra village of Assam-Mizoram bordering area of Hailakandi district.
All these children stayed at the hostel of WODICHEE after reaching Hailakandi. These children were taken to Haryana by a tout promising better education and life-style. The escorting officials from Haryana informed that the ashram didn’t follow the rules and regulations, and was also not registered.
Hazarika said that the children have been handed over to the guardians temporarily, but they may be taken away and sent to the Children Home of Silchar run by WODICHEE if they fail to nurture them properly, she added. Pritikona Paul, a member of the Child Welfare Committee of Hailakandi said, “We’re much concerned about the future of these kind of children and would constantly monitor them through the NGO. Kusha Reang, one of the rescued children said that he wants to study to become a teacher.
Hazarika further informed that one Iqbal Laskar was also rescued last year from the Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan. Iqbal is a resident of Bilaipur and was also taken to Rajasthan promising better life and education. His surname was also changed as Bharati from Laskar, she added.