TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Chaos, anarchy and riot like conditions are reigning supreme in Apna Ghar with inmates going berserk, breaking light fixtures, urinating in the dormitories and throwing bricks against caretakers since December 23 with no action forthcoming till date.
Even food served to them by the staff is with police assistance and the whole place is plunged into darkness and they (inmates) do not permit the staff to visit them. The inmates have also been accused of pelting bricks and stones at them and also using harsh language at them.
Stones and bricks have also being pelted at the police when they have been called to control them apparently being aware of the fact that nobody can touch them and dare the staff and police to take action.
Sources say in November 2012, some staff members had complained to the Director, Superintendent cum Probationary Officer and Goa Govt Employees’ Association that there is constant risk to them while discharging duty.
However, till date no remedial action has been taken by the government and the government run home’s administration and no corrective action has been taken, despite receiving complains, sources say.
The delinquents are also freely roaming in the campus, within the compound and urinate in plastic bottles and throw the urine on the staff.
The government after frequent escapes from the government run home had set up a one man committee to inquire into the situation. However, though the report has been accepted in toto, except for increasing the height of the compound wall and initiating disciplinary action against the caretakers, the administration has not taken any action on the other recommendations of Levinson Martins Report.
According to the law, minors cannot be punished under the normal laws whatever crime they commit and are only liable under the juvenile laws, with prime example being the guilty in the horrific rape cum murder of a young girl in Delhi.
There are 19 male inmates in Apna Ghar and in the past many have been involved in organised crime, involving hardcore criminals to perpetrate crimes. Cases have been filed in some cases.
