Minor flees from children's home in Balasore, alleges torture

Balasore: Locals of Sahadevkhunta area in the district today rescued a minor boy who had fled a children's home after being allegedly thrashed by the staff.

The eight-year-old who had escaped from the home on Saturday refused to return to the shelter and hence was handed over to the Sahadevkhunta police.

As per reports, a few locals spotted the minor loitering aimlessly in the Sahadevkhunta bus stand area this morning and informed authorities of the shelter home.

Although the shelter superintendent and other staff of the Utkal Balashram rushed to the spot, the boy refused to go with them.

Later, the locals handed over the child to the Sahadev Khunta police. On questioning, the boy alleged that he was thrashed by the shelter home staff on Thursday.

On the other hand, authorities of childcare home have refuted the allegations.

"The boy had been missing since Saturday and some people called us today around 6.30 am saying that he was found. Our job is to take care of the kids. We do not thrash the children," informed  Superintendent of Utkal Balashram, Reena Patra.