Shillong, Nov 2: Authorities in the Meghalaya have been asked to take necessary steps to ensure safety of abandoned children in Shillong and other districts of the state.

This order was issued by the Meghalaya High Court after hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by one Khroolamsalanki Pariat from Mission Compound, Jowai.

In an order, the division bench which comprised of Chief Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Justice SR Sen said, “the respondents should take necessary steps in the context of the matter so that welfare state object is achieved.”

The bench also said that notice should be also issued to the Chief Secretary, Commissioner & Secretary of Urban Affairs department and Commissioner & Secretary Social Welfare department keeping in view the urgency involved in the matter.

The state authorities were asked to file response by or before November 12 and the next hearing on the matter will be held on November 13.

Pariat had submitted a petition to Justice SR Sen on October 23 seeking his intervention into the need to set up Night Shelter Houses which will be of great blessing for the abandoned children if Night Shelter Houses can be made in each and every district headquarter of the state, starting with Shillong, Jowai and Tura.

He said being a concerned citizen, he cannot just watch and weep the condition of the abandoned children seeing during night time, especially as winter is approaching.

Stating that the abandoned children are not orphans, he said, “they are from poverty stricken families and they equally deserve a minimum protection of their lives from the cold winter nights.”

“From footpath dwellers, if not all, some of those children can also become bricks of the nation if provided with minimum help and support. To be able to live, those children, during day time are selling Kwai and some kind of religious booklets etc and sleep under any kind of shades available with minimum coverage during night,” he said.

Pariat alleged that due to ignorant attitude shown by the government to these children, they feel totally left out and directionless, and end up becoming addicts to some kind of abusive substances (like dendrite sniffing etc) simply to kill their feelings of loneliness and frustration in life.

He also opined that Night Shelter Houses should not be solely for sheltering purpose only, but also serve as Personality and Skill Development Centres.

“Night Shelter Houses should have a regular night school which will also impart some kind of basic technical training to them in the field of carpentry, electrical, plumbing, civil works besides others. A two plus one hours training program may be given to them in the form of regular classes and training every night from 6PM to 9PM. This will help transforming and giving them an opportunity of living their life with dignity,” Pariat added.