Child Welfare Committee ‘saves’ child, only to send her back to streets in Kerala

Alappuzha: A three- year-old  girl from Rayalaseema, who was taken into custody for begging  along with her  grandmother last Saturday by the Alappuzha north police, is now out on bail and back on the streets.

 

The child was brought to the Mahilamandiram run by the social welfare board here along with her  60 -year- old grandmother, Gangulamma, on Saturday by the police. But on Tuesday, the two were released on bail and sent back to living on the streets.

 

According to the police, they were taken back to Komalapuram where the child had been staying in a shop verandah along with nine other migrant beggars for a few days. “They are still living in Komalapuram. We don’t know anything more about the child”, said the North SI . Gangulamma, who  hails from  Perumbally Village of Chittoor district in Rayalaseem, says she took charge of  her grandchild  after her  mother died two years ago and brought her to Kerala  as they were starving in  her hometown.

 

“I had a house and some land in my native place but was forced to sell them  for Rs 2 lakh  to meet the medical expenses of my daughter-in-law.  My son,  Muni Ratnam, a drunkard, disappeared two  months ago and I was told by my neighbours that I could  find a job in Kerala.  We have been here for the  last three days along with nine others, but as I had no money I began to beg to feed my child,” Gangaulamma told this correspondent.