Panaji (PTI): More than 200 children have been rescued from Madgaon railway station in South Goa by the authorities so far this year, an official said on Sunday.
Several children who had either run away from home or found begging at the railway station were rescued by the authorities, a senior official of the Railway Protection Force told PTI.
Childline, a non-profit organisation, has set up a booth at Madgaon railway station and has been involved in these rescues.
"At least 217 children have been rescued from Madgaon railway station till date this year. In some instances, children have run away from home and ended up at the railway station," said Ana Andria Fernandes, a coordinator for Childline Railways.
Fernandes said her team members work round the clock at the railway station and keep an eye out for children who are unaccompanied on the premises and check compartments of trains.
Children from neighbouring Karnataka and even from states as far as Bihar, Odisha and Jharkhand arrive at the railway station by trains, she said.
"In some cases, children leave their homes after witnessing fights between parents or due to anxiety about examination. They board any train without thinking about and understanding the consequences," Fernandes said.
Instances of children found begging on railway platforms are also reported in a major way, she said.
Once rescued, children are handed over to the RPF or Konkan Railway Police, which then entrusts them to care of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), which is set up by the Goa government, it was stated.
The CWC lodges the children at the state-run home 'Apna Ghar' in Merces before handing them over to the parents.
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Belthangady: Another incident involving individuals allegedly dancing indecently, dressed in a denigrating manner, and insulting the Azan (Islamic call to prayer) has come to light under the jurisdiction of the Venoor Police Station. A case has been lodged against 17 accused persons and 20 to 30 others who were allegedly involved in the act.
Based on a complaint filed by Mohammed Rafiq, a resident of Poyyegudde house in Padangady village, a case has been registered at Venoor police station against Savya residents Vasantha, Rajesh, Harish, Peradi residents Dayanand, Ranganath, Mohan, Shamit, Ravi, Ramesh Kulal, Suresh, Ashoka Kulal, Dhanush Haradottu, Harish Banthottu, Ramesh R.K, Suresh Barottu, Pramod, Prakash Peradi and 20 to 30 other individuals.
A case has been registered under Section 353(2) along with Section 3(5) Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 for disrespecting Islam, Prophet Muhammad and the Islamic prayer Azhan by wearing Muslim attire during a 'Purusha Kattuna' event on April 14th.
A video of the incident is reportedly circulating on various social media platforms. In the purported video, a group of individuals can be seen wearing traditional Muslim attire and allegedly insulting the Azan by dancing indecently during a 'Purusha Kattuna' (a ritualistic dance performed by men of different castes, typically marking the end of agricultural activities) event held in Peradi near Venoor.
This incident follows a similar episode reported just days ago during a Purushara Puja ceremony, where Islam was allegedly disrespected. A complaint had already been filed with the Venoor police regarding that incident.
Leaders from the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) had also approached the Venoor police and submitted an official complaint, and demanded immediate action against those who are responsible for creating unrest in the society by wearing Muslim attire and hurting religious sentiments.
The Venoor police have now registered a case following widespread outrage over the alleged video denigrating Islam.