Patna: News pertaining to alleged conversion related activities of minor girls in a skill-training center being run from the premise of a residential school has surfaced from Bihar’s Rohtas district, according to reports floating in media.
The incident came to light after the district child welfare committee [Rohtas] in its report sent to the home secretary [Union Government] and other officials has recommended for a high-level enquiry into the matter.
The committee during its recent visit to James Tailoring Institute, an institution being run from the premise of James English school of Sikiriya Indrapuri of Rohtas has reportedly found serious discrepancies in the records maintained by the institute.
As per media reports, the committee members during their visit have also come across details suspected to be linked with ongoing conversion activities at the institute.
According to details, the members of district child welfare committee visited James Tailoring institute on September 8. When the members reached the institute premises on September 8, they found 7-8 girls who were being trained in stitching work.
The members in the course of inspection found discrepancies in records related to girls, enrolled at the institute. Meanwhile, the committee members spotted a minor girl crying badly and being dragged by two individuals. When enquired, the team was informed that the girl is having a stomach ache and she has a habit of crying in this manner.
The minor girl was later rescued, who in her ordeal narrated before a woman councillor alleges that she was raped by four men. The girl was later sent to a girl child shelter home, following her medical examination.
A team of district child protection unit, child helpline and police reached the premises of the James English School on the next day and rescued 7 other minor girls The rescued girls were shifted to shelter home subsequently.
The child welfare committee on the basis of investigations and statements of rescued girls has reportedly found traces of conversion activities in the institute that has been functional since 2003. The committee in its reports has now recommended for a high-level enquiry into the matter. Meanwhile the officials have indicated about forming a district magistrate level enquiry committee and lawful action into the matter.
