Following the Dhalai district administration’s rescue of a newborn allegedly sold by the mother, Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha emphasised the need for greater social awareness to prevent such incidents from occurring.
In a press briefing in Agartala, CM Saha stated, “I got details of the case from the DM on the day we came to know about the incident. The baby was immediately returned to the mother.”
Addressing the criticisms from the Opposition CPI(M) regarding the alleged child sale, Saha remarked, “We used to see these things (child sale) every day when those raising these allegations were in power themselves. I suggest people read newspaper reports of that time.”
The CM highlighted the State Government’s efforts to support Dhalai, an aspirational district, by providing 10 per cent additional funds for its development. “We are providing extra funds to the Dhalai district. So, this (sale of newborn) is not supposed to happen,” he added.
Manik Saha mentioned that he had instructed the Chief Secretary to gather details about the incident. “He (Chief Secretary) informed me that funds were provided by the local administration to the family concerned and other steps were also taken,” he added.
The child sale incident was brought to public attention by Tripura Opposition leader and CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury, who sought the intervention of Chief Secretary JK Sinha and Dhalai District Magistrate Saju Vaheed A.
Chaudhury accused the BJP Government and its tribal ally TIPRA Motha, which governs the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council, of failing to provide basic amenities to marginalised communities, thus contributing to the ‘child sale’ incident.
Dhalai DM Vaheed A stated that the mother and the newborn have been relocated to a shelter home in Gandacherra. “The woman was in distress, especially after her husband’s death,” he explained.
Reacting to the situation, BJP spokesperson Ashmita Banik countered the Opposition’s claims, stating, “The Opposition CPI(M) and the Congress tried to confuse people with false statements on child sale in Dhalai district. A woman gave away her newborn to a childless family for adoption. Unfortunately, the legal procedure for adoption was not followed in this case.”
