TEAM HERALD
MERCES: The inmates of Apna Ghar went on a violent rampage yet again and damaged property. They, however, did not target any individual and hence, there were no injuries reported.
The incident occurred at about 10.30 am on Thursday when the inmates suddenly emerged from their enclosure by damaging the latches of the door.
Armed with rods, bats, stones, the inmates damaged the window panes, light fixtures, they jumped over the gate and damaged a car belonging to a lawyer appointed under free legal aid for juveniles at the Juvenile Justice Board.
Deputy Director (Administration) of Apna Ghar Dasharath Redkar and Old Goa police rushed to Apna Ghar, on being notified of the incident.
Speaking to media persons, Redkar said that some inmates were demanding, since Wednesday, that they be allowed to speak to the media, the police and authorities of the Juvenile Justice Board as they wanted to complain about something.
“However, when asked what they wanted to complain about, they were not forthcoming,” he said and added that it could be one of the reasons why they turned violent.
Sources said that the children alleged that two of the caretakers, who had allegedly been involved in the case involving smuggling the children out of the home, had beaten them the previous night.
Asked whether any Apna Ghar staff is encouraging the inmates to turn violent, Redkar said he is not aware of it, but added that there are three repeat offenders currently lodged at Apna Ghar and they could be encouraging the other inmates to become violent as they are aware that nobody can touch them.
“These three repeat offenders were in the forefront of today’s attack,” he added and stated that nobody suffered any injury.
Sources said that after Thursday’s incident one child, who has often been causing trouble, was released to his home and another child was admitted to the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour.
When contacted, Advocate Wahida Elgar, whose car was damaged, said she had gone to attend matters at the Juvenile Justice Board as usual when some inmates targeted her parked car, with rods and stones.
“I have been appointed under the free legal aid for juveniles and from the first to the tenth of every month, I attend to matters at the Juvenile Justice Board, of both North and South,” Elgar stated while holding the authorities of Apna Ghar responsible for the violent behaviour of the inmates as they were not able to bring them under control.
Elgar appealed to the government to look into the issue as such incidents are a serious matter. Later in the evening, she filed a complaint against government officials with the police.
