Villager denies selling children to scribe

By Prafulla Das

BHUBANESWAR, SEPT. 25. Dambaru Bhoi, uncle of the two children who have been ``sold'' to the correspondent of an English daily in Badagumuda village of Orissa's Bolangir district, has told the authorities that he had not sold the children to anyone.

In a statement recorded by the Sub-Collector, Mr. Munish Mudgil, on Monday evening, Dambaru has said that he had handed over Paree(4) and Jemati(2) to the visitor after the latter offered to take good care of them and provide them education. Dambaru has further said that the matter of ``sale'' of the two children was never broached.

According to Mr. Mudgil, Dambaru has said that when approached by the visitor on September 10, he had first refused to give away the children. The visitor, however, returned to the village the same day along with Mr. Haripal Chhura, resident of Ganria village, about 15 km away from Badagumuda. Dambaru agreed to hand over Paree to the visitor after Mr. Chhura told him that it would be in the interest of the child. Mr. Chhura was also present on September 14 when Jemati(2) was taken away by the visitor, according to Mr. Mudgil.

Dambaru has further said that the visitor had offered him money and had also taken photographs while making the offer, but he had not accepted any amount.

Mr. Mudgil said that apart from having a bank deposit of Rs. 16,000 and three goats, the family also had rice at home during the ``sale'' of the children. The family had purchased 16 kg of rice at BPL rate on September 6. Paree was also going to school till September 8.

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