Khulna Shishu Paribar plagued by manifold problems

Operation of Sarkari Shishu Paribar in Khulna city is being seriously hampered for multifarious problems, including inadequate fund allocation, poor infrastructure and manpower shortage. Consequently, the state-run children’s home for boys now no more appears to be an ideal shelter centre for the residents. Sources said four children escaped from the centre in the last 1-and-half-year finding the environment here unfriendly for them. Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, deputy superintendent of the Sarkari Shishu Paribar, descried internal conflict between the residents and their inability to adjust themselves to the environment here, upon coming from diverse corners of the society, as the reasons behind their escape from the children’s home. Sources said Bakul, 14, who had been brought from Juvenile Development Centre, managed to flee from the children’s home in 2013 and has not returned since then. He had link with a section of drug addicts. Another boy, Shaon, 14, fled from the children’s home in 2012. After a frantic search, the authorities managed to find him out but he was handed over to the authorities of JJS through legal process. He had been involved in terrorist activities. Besides, on November 4, 2014, two minor boys-- Munir, 8, and Rhidoy, 7, fled from here. However, the authorities of the children’s home managed to track down Munir from Rupsha Bazar on November 7. Earlier, Munir had fled from the same shelter centre in October this year in fear of getting beaten by an arrogant boy named Sumon. Mother of Rhidoy alleged that the two children fled as there was no security guard posted at the gate of Shishu Paribar, according to a news agency.