Following the traumatic incident of food poisoning leading to the death of two children from Meghalaya in a private school in T Kagepura village, Mandya district, Karnataka, the District Child Protection Unit of Mandya today handed over 22 children to Meghalaya’s Social Welfare Department.
The handing over took place in the presence of Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh, Chairperson of the Meghalaya State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) Agatha Sangma, Social Welfare Director Doreen Lyngwa and others.
The team from Karnataka, led by District Child Protection Officer Rashmi S, traveled with the 22 children who were pursuing their studies in Karnataka when the tragedy occurred last month.
Two Meghalaya children, 12-year-old Namebantei Marwein from Sohparu, West Khasi Hills, and Class 7 student Khrehlang Khongtani, died, and numerous others were hospitalised due to a case of food poisoning after they were served leftover food from Holi.
Lyngdoh informed that the Education Department will arrange for the children’s admission to nearby schools as their education has been interrupted.
He said that the government will also require prior notice if the families relocate, to facilitate smooth school transfers since the majority of the parents are migrant workers.
“Going forward, we advise that any child pursuing studies outside the state should do so with proper guidance from the government. Within the state, we are committed to ensuring the admission of all children aged 6 to 14 under the Right to Education Act 2013,” Lyngdoh stated.
Rashmi S expressed relief at successfully transferring the children to the Meghalaya authorities. She noted that the institute where the food poisoning incident occurred has since been shut down. Karnataka police have made several arrests in the case.
