Security lapse in "observation home" in Silchar; 9 accused including 5 Rohingyas fled

The juvenile observation home in Meherpur, Silchar operated under the supervision of Government’s Social Welfare Department has reported massive breach in security. On May 29, the Cachar Police informed about the detention of 26 Rohingyas in Silchar. There were guided by some lead from Kamakhya Railway Station. Among the 26, there were 12 children. They belonged to three different families and had lived in Kashmir before heading towards Assam through Uttar Pradesh. The children were kept in the observation home and it has been confirmed that five of them are missing.

Sharing her statement with Barak Bulletin, SP Cachar, Dr. Ramandeep Kaur said, “Nine children fled from Meherpur home due to water entering the premises. Matter is reported on 1 July. All efforts on to investigate into the matter.” Though the SP did not specify how many of the nine missing children were Rohingya kids, sources in the Home confirmed that five Rohingya-children are no longer spotted in the Juvenile Observation Home.

It is worth mentioning here that Cachar district made headlines recently after National Investigation Agency (NIA) busted the ‘Kumkum Gang’ led by Kumkum Ahmed. The NIA also detained Shah Alom Laskar, Jamal Uddin Chowdhury and two siblings, Bapan Ahmed Chowdhury and Ali Ahmed Chowdhury from Katigorah in connection with the same gang.

Reports suggested that this gang used to traffic Rohingya Muslims to different parts of the country and exploited them sexually. Who were behind the transit of these 26 Rohingya Muslims was something that was intensely investigated. Who are behind fleeing them now is something that is worth pondering upon. Also, this reveals the security lapses in the Juvenile observation home.