Bhubaneswar: The institutions run by Christian missionaries, always claim that they are engaged in upliftment of unprivileged section of the society. But their real face was exposed once again in Orissa when reports of of mistreatment and torture of the inmates by the authorities of the hostel situated in Rayagada came . Rayagada district administration had to act and rescued as many as 80 students, including three minor girls from that missionary run hostel . District administration also lodged police complaint against authorities of Missionary Hostel. Hostel superintendent and priest of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, identified as Peter Kindo, the main accused in this case is absconding.
More than 80 students were residing in the hostel which was run by Saint Joseph Catholic Church. The children belong to Rayagada and Kandhamal Districts. The students were subjected to physical and mental turture there. One student, named Chandan escaped from the hostel and went to Rayagada Railway Station where he narrated the story of turture to RPF personnel. After this revelation, district administration started inquiry.
The District Collector Nitin Bhanudas Jawle formed a committee comprising the Tahasildar, District Social Welfare Officer and District Labour Officer to inquire into the allegations of torture of children.
During investigation it was found that the children were given inferior quality food and there was no health checkup for them. The inmates also complained about physical and mental torture by the hostel authorities.
“Two minor girls were engaged in preparing food for the inmates, another minor girl was made to work at the house of the hostel superintendent Peter Kindo, ” an official said.
The hostel authorities used to charge Rs. 200 per month from the parents of each student and also used to get funds from the Saint Vincent Society to run the hostel. Though the hostel authorities claimed the hostel has been functioning since 1998, but was unable to provide any relevant document to support their claim.
The District Collector said that after verifying the address of the students, necessary action will be taken regarding their rehabilitation. A police complaint has been lodged and action will be taken against the culprits, he said.
