Battling with social problems such child and women trafficking, migration, witchcraft related crimes, domestic violence among others Jharkhand on Thursday got a unique short stay home ‘Nari Niketan ‘Snehashraya’ for distressed girls and women in Arsande near Kanke block in Ranchi. The stay home was inaugurated by Chief Minister (CM) Raghubar Das on Thursday who felt cooperation from local villagers will lead to effective functioning of the home.
As many as 48 women facing harassment, or are victimized under Indian Penal Code (IPC) laws like trafficking, mental or physical torture can be accommodated in the 12 rooms here for a period of three days which in special cases can be extended to 15 days and then later for more 15 days. Two Coordinators, Two Support Staffs, a Typist, a Peon and a Cook with Home Guards have been deployed to take care of the inmates.
“The Social Welfare Department coordinating the centre in collaboration with Child line, Child Welfare Committee, Police, Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP), NGOs, legal authorities, Child and Women Commission will give a home-like atmosphere to the rescued women with vocational skills. It will make them empowered. The helpline number 0651-2451552 has already been issued to all the stakeholders for bringing victimized women to the centre. We will also publish the number for the same purpose in all the local newspapers,” said Social Welfare department Principal Secretary Mridula Sinha.
Moreover, facilities like legal and medical counseling would be provided to the inmates. As the Snehashraya has a home-like ambience, inmates are free to cook in the kitchen. They can even sing and play within the premises. Rescued ones from the Jharkhand Trafficking Resource Centre, New Delhi will also be kept here.Similar, short stay homes are to be established in the remaining districts. Sinha said the building in Gumla is completed and waiting for inauguration.
Two days back, five girls namely Sukhmani Oraon, Aarti Kumari, Munni Oraon, Haseena Khatoon and Sunita Pinguar were brought to the centre. All of them have now got a ray of hope to return to their family.Sukhmani unaware of her home address came here with the help of Operation Muskan of state police from New Delhi. She is a case of missing child. “Many years ago I had gone to the national capital with my parents. I cannot recall what happened next. I somehow landed in a shelter home there,” she said. Similarly, Haseena Khatoon, aged 10 year is missing for past 20 days. She is unable to recall her address but knows that she has two elder brothers-one elder sister and her father Sameen Ansari is a rickshaw puller in some Kasaimohalla. She was rescued in Palamau.
Fifth standard student Sunita Pinguar, a missing child rescued 15 days back knows she is orphan and used to study in lP School, Gamharia. 8 year old Aarti Kumari rescued by Child line two months back as child labour from Kokar wants to go back to her home in lohardaga district. Sources said she is motherless and has three siblings but cannot go home since her father is working in a brick kiln outside the state.like, Aarti, 14 year old Munni Oraon was also indulged as child labour in Amravati Colony of Chutia. She is orphan and knows that she belongs to Bishunpur, Gumla.
CM accompanied by Social Welfare Minister louis Marandi and legislators met these girls after the inauguration and directed Sinha to take necessary actions for sending them to their home.The CM said he is keen to end trafficking from the state and would think of introducing speedy trial for children involved in trafficking. “We are aiming to empower around 20,000 rescued children, men and women of the state,” he added.