NGOs mull PIL to rescue quake-hit orphans in J-K

Non-governmental organisations NGOs operating in post-quake Valley have warned that they will file a Public Interest Litigation PIL if t...

Non-governmental organisations NGOs operating in post-quake Valley have warned that they will file a Public Interest Litigation PIL if the government sends orphans to children homes in Maharastra. Coordination committee of national and local NGOs Voluntary Associations Network VAN said today that the decision was against a National Commission of Human Rights NCHR charter.

The government was exploiting the poor, quake-hit people, said Ram Niwas Yadav, Director, Relief and Rehabilitation, SOS Children8217;s Villages of India. 8220;The decision is against a NCHR charter which says that no child can be taken from his/her state to another illegally,8221; he said further.

Soon after the quake, the Centre announced to send 500 orphans to a children home in Pune, and deposit Rs 5 lakh to account of every child so that interest could be utilised by the organisation.

8220;Why are they working like spies?8221; questioned Yadav at a press conference here. 8220;They are secretly picking up the kids. Why are they so secretive?8221; he asked further.

8220;Shifting of minors from their natural environment will affect their personality; they will suffer identity crisis,8221; said AR Hanjura, President of the Voluntary Associations Network VAN. Besides, it was violation of the child8217;s rights as minor because he/she needed family love and care at this stage, he added.

Yadav added, 8220;When the tsunami hit Tamil Nadu, its government banned strictly shifting of orphans. Strangely, the Maharashtra Chief Minister brought back some children shifted to Pune from quake-hit Latur. How can he advocate the shifting of Kashmiri children? Same was the case in the Bhuj quake.8221;

The committee, representing SOS India, CRS India, HRC, Action Aid, Confederation of Voluntary Associations COVA, Aman Trsust, Voluntary Health Association of India VHAI and some local NGOs, is very apprehensive about the decision.

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8220;We will file a PIL if the government does not respond. If Central and state governments are sincere in efforts, they should set up such institutes in the Valley; we have infrastructure here,8221; added Hanjura.

Bashaarat Masood

Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter. Expertise and Experience Two Decades of Frontline Reporting: Bashaarat has spent 20 years documenting the evolution of Kashmir, from high-intensity conflict and political shifts to socio-economic development. Award-Winning Investigative Journalism: He is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (2012). This honor was bestowed for his reporting on the Pathribal fake encounter, a series of stories that highlighted his ability to handle sensitive human rights and security issues with investigative rigor. Specialized Beats: His authoritative coverage spans: Political Transitions: Tracking the shift from statehood to Union Territory, electoral dynamics, and the pulse of local governance. Security & Conflict: Providing nuanced reporting on counter-insurgency, civil liberties, and the impact of the conflict on the civilian population. Development: Documenting the infrastructure, healthcare, and educational landscape within the Valley. Academic Background: He holds a Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir, providing him with a localized academic and professional foundation that is rare in regional reporting. ... Read More