Shillong: The Hynñiewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC) has urged the Meghalaya government to take action following the tragic deaths of two boys from the state due to suspected food poisoning at a school in Karnataka.
The incident also left several others hospitalised, prompting the HYC to call for a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsible.
In a letter to the state government, HYC President Roy Kupar Synrem stressed the need for a State Fact-Finding Team to investigate the number of children sent by various organisations to educational institutions outside Meghalaya.
The council demanded a comprehensive database of such organisations, including details of office bearers, contact persons, children enrolled, and their accommodations, to ensure their safety and well-being.
The council also referenced a 2009 investigative report by journalist Sanjana Chappali in Tehelka titled “A Strange and Bitter Crop,” which highlighted concerns about the conditions of children taken to Karnataka by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliates.
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HYC noted that over a thousand children from Meghalaya are currently enrolled in similar programmes across India, emphasising the need for the state government to prioritise their safety and welfare.
The HYC further called for mechanisms to enable children to return home safely if they or their families wish to, especially in cases where financial constraints prevent them from doing so.
“We must ensure the safety and security of our young children to prevent such horrifying incidents from recurring,” Synrem stated, urging immediate government intervention.
