Shocking Child Abuse in Silchar, Mother Forces Toddler to Smoke and Drink

We strive to keep intoxicating substances as far away as possible from children. Exposure to secondhand smoking is considered child abuse, meaning one should not smoke with a child in the same room. But can you imagine a mother making her 1 year 8 months old baby smoke and drink? This sounds inhuman and shocking, but one such incident was reported from the Chencoorie Road area of Silchar. Surprisingly, when confronted by the Child Helpline Unit and Sadar Police, the mother showed no fear or guilt, openly admitting to her actions.

In a deeply disturbing incident, a mother has been found making her 20-month-old daughter smoke cigarettes and consume alcohol in their rented home in the Chencoorie Road area of Silchar. The incident came to light when the Child Helpline Unit received alarming photographs and information about the child abuse on June 12.

Acting promptly on the tip-off, the Child Helpline Unit, along with officers from the Sadar Police Station, raided the rented home of Sangeeta Roy in Bagha Jatin Lane and rescued the toddler. Shockingly, Roy, who works in the health department, showed no remorse and readily admitted to her actions, claiming they were “partying in the house.”

Debashis Dey, Supervisor of the Child Helpline Unit, describing the swift response to the call said, “When we got this call that the mother was making her daughter smoke cigarettes while she was consuming alcohol, I informed the District Child Protection Officer, who contacted the Officer-in-Charge of Sadar Thana. Along with the Police, we reached the house where this incident was happening. When we confronted her, she confessed that they were partying in the house.”

The toddler has since been placed in a shelter home for her safety while the legal process takes its course. Ratnadeep Deb, another Child Helpline supervisor, emphasised the situation’s gravity. “Consuming alcohol and smoking in front of any child is not just immoral but also an offence,” he stated.

The Child Welfare Committee of the District will now decide on the next steps for the child’s welfare. This incident has raised serious concerns about child safety and parental responsibility, highlighting the need for vigilance and swift action in cases of child abuse. This is the second case of brutality against a child by a mother in the last thirty days. The first incident where a mother fed hot oil to her three-year-old daughter was reported on May 31 from Sonai Road.

The district Child Helpline Unit successfully rescued both children and deserves all the appreciation for their vigilance.