Children at orphanage revolt in Panchagarh
Children residing at the government orphanage in Panchagarh town go on rampage yesterday protesting torture on trivial matters and supply of stale food. Photo: STAR
Children residing at Panchagarh Shishu Paribar, an orphanage, yesterday went on the rampage, damaging furniture, windows, doors and official documents of the institution. They demanded removal of the acting superintendent and other staff of the institution, alleging their mistreatment of the orphans. At around 10:00am, the children shut the main gate of the institution, ransacked superintendent's office and classrooms and set fire to official documents. They later brought out a procession on the campus. The children said officials of the orphanage often torture them on trivial matters and force them to take stale foods. “If any child of the orphanage feels sick, they hurl abuse at him instead of providing treatment.” Acting Superintendent Md Shahidul Haque was not present while other officials of the orphanage managed to flee during the incident. On information, Police Superintendent and the officer-in-charge of Panchagarh Sadar Police Station rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Nazrul Islam visited the spot and sat with the agitating children to know their grievances. Tanil Islam and Shohaq, class nine students of the orphanage, alleged the superintendent and other officials torture them on trifle matters. They also supply stale foods to us almost every day, the children said, “If we feel sick and want medicine, heath assistant Bhavendranath Barman beat us", said a boy. Bhavendranath denied the allegation.
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