BICHOLIM
Authorities on Thursday rescued a minor boy who was allegedly confined by his mother in unhygienic conditions at their dilapidated house in Bicholim.
While the boy has been shifted to the Apna Ghar in Merces, the mother had been referred to the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB).
According to locals, the woman had been reportedly psychologically disturbed and involved in several problems with relatives and the neighbourhood.
The issue had come up for discussion at a meeting convened by the Bicholim deputy collector with various officials on Wednesday.
The officials were informed that the minor boy had been confined to the house by the mother in their house in Bicholim. The Childline team members had reported the matter to the deputy collector that the boy had been deprived of school education.
During the meeting, the Childline coordinator brought to the notice of the members present that the boy had attended school in February, 2020 for 19 days and in March for 11 days, before the school was closed on account of the lockdown due to the Covid pandemic.
The Chairperson of Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights had informed the deputy collector that the woman and her son were residing in a house which was in an unhygienic state and in a dilapidated condition which could collapse, thereby endangering both lives.
It was then decided that the woman would be subjected to a medical examination.
Accordingly, various officials went to the house on Thursday morning and took custody of the boy and sent him to Apna Ghar, while the mother was referred to the IPBH for an examination. A police team was present to provide security to the officials.
