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Friday, Dec 01, 2006
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Abuse of girls in orphanage

Ghaziabad: In a shocking revelation, many of the 65 girls living in an orphanage were found to have been sexually and physically abused by the man running the establishment here.

The incident came to light in a joint operation carried out on Thursday by the National Commission for Women (NCW), along with NGOs Shakti Vahini and Stop and a private TV channel.

"The TV channel approached the Commission, seeking our help in cracking down on the abuse of children in the orphanage . We have spoken to the girls and gathered evidence ," NCW Member Malini Bhattacharya said.

The help of the CISF was taken in the operation, but the children could not be rescued due to administrative hurdles.

Ms. Bhattacharya, however, said she has spoken to the Additional District Magistrate of the district, who assured her that he was posting officials at the ashram to ensure the safety of the girls through the night and that they would be taken to a safe place on Friday.

She said the Commission has written to the Director-General of Police asking for immediate action.

"A majority of the girls were five or six years old and some were in the 17-19 age group," Ms. Bhattacharya said. She said the NCW was investigating the matter and would prepare a report on it. The owner of the ashram was detained, SSP, Ghaziabad, Piyush Moria said.

Six girls who were rescued by the police refused to leave the ashram and denied flesh trade in the ashram, the SSP said.

PTI

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