Shelter home shame: Raids conducted at shelter homes in Rayagada, Nabarangpur

Raygada/Nabrangpur: Following allegations of sexual harassment at Dream Centre shelter home in Beltikiri of Dhenkanal, administration continues to raid its other shelter homes spread across various districts.

According to sources, a team including officials of children protection unit, children welfare committee and police led by the sub-collector conducted a raid at a branch of Dream Centre shelter home in Rayagada district today. The team also questioned the parents and the guardians of the inmates of the shelter home.

Similarly, a raid was also conducted at Dream Centre shelter home at Sanokumuli village of Nabarangpur district. According to sources, out of 127 inmates, 105 minor girls were rescued and handed over to their respective families. The raid was conducted by a joint team of child protection committee officials, social workers and the additional collector.

It is pertinent to mention here that, Good News India, which operates the Dream Care shelter homes, has 25 branches in Odisha. However, investigations have revealed that only one of the branches is registered under the Societies Act & Juvenile Justice Act in the State.

BJP Mahila Morcha leader, Pravati Parida today accused BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra of having links with Good News India chief Fayaz Rahman. The leader alleged that Fayaz expanded his shelter home network with help from Sasmit Patra.