DIMAPUR, Mar 21 (NNN): The Tangkhul Shanao Long, Delhi (TSLD) has clarified that of the 51 children rescued from two children homes in Jaipur on March 12, the total number of children from Manipur is 21, six of them are from Nagaland, another six children from Uttar Pradesh (UP), 4 each from Assam, Nepal, Rajasthan and Punjab and 2 from New Delhi. Again, of the 21 children from Manipur, 17 are from Ukhrul district, 3 from Tamenglong district and one from Chandel district.
Informing Newmai News Network over phone from New Delhi, TSLD president Felicita Shongvah said, “Sexual abuses on the girls are highly suspected.” She said this even as the medical check-up on the girls are underway in Jaipur. “Hopefully in the next few days the facts on the matter will be ascertained as the medical-up may get completed by that time,” added Felicita Shongvah.
On March 12, the Tangkhul Women Union (TSL-D) on learning about the information had raided both the children`s homes called Grace Home along with a team led by the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Rajasthan, social workers and activists and media persons. Both the children homes were run by one Jacob John from Kerala.
John Jacob married a foreigner after divorcing his first wife who is an Indian. After the divorce and before he got married again, Jacob John used to sleep in one of the girls` rooms, alleged Felicita Shongvah. “Given this situation and a hint from the ongoing medical check up indicates that sexual abuses on the girls ,” the activist said. According to her, Jacob John had given different new names to the 51 children. “The kids told us that they sometimes starved for days as Jacon John did not provide them food,” narrated Felicita Shongvah.
Jacob John was running the children homes by flouting every norm and guideline laid by the Child Welfare Committee. He was arrested under the Indian Penal Code section 344,366 and 370(5) and Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 section 23 and 28. Jacob John is presently confined in a police custody in Jaipur. Felicita Shongvah said the man has been attempting for a bail. “Such a notorious person should not be granted bail and for that we are working hard along with other NGOs to have good lawyers so that Jacob John gets what he deserves and in the process the rescued children and their parents are delivered justice,” fumed Felicita.
On being asked how these children got into the hands of Jacon John and what could be the reason that the parents of these children allowed their children to go that far, the vocal activist said, “Some people working for Jacon John go to different parts of the country including Nepal and lured the parents of these children saying free and good education will be given to the children. These clever people usually targets rural and ignorant people.”