'Militant' children brace for dark days

Guwahati, May 2 (UNI) Karisma Barua, a student of the fifth standard in a private school in Biswanath Chariali in Asom, was almost expelled from school after her parents were arrested on April 28 on charges of being ULFA activists.

Karisma's father, 'sergeant major' Sashanka Barua, the 'organising secretary' of the ULFA's dreaded 28th battalion, was arrested in Guwahati. His arrest was followed by the nabbing of his wife, Punyaprabha Gogoi, from Tezpur.

Soon after the arrest of the militant couple, a section of the local media carried reports that authorities of St Xavier's School in Biswanath Chariali were planning expelling the couple's child Karisma.

As the reports stirred a controversy, with organizations and individuals defending the right of the child to continue with her education, the school authorities clarified yesterday that no such move was mooted to expel Karisma.

Karisma is a resident student of the school, while her sibling, Parisma, is a student of class seven in Sankardev Jatiya Vidyalaya at Bihguri.

The matter of Karisma's possible expulsion from the school for being the child of a militant couple has once again raised questions if the wards should be made to pay the price for their parents' roles.

Less than 20 days ago, a bench of Gauhati High Court had on April 13 directed the custody of a four-year-child to her mother, ULFA activist Madhuri Moran, lodged at Sivasagar jail.

The three helpless children of the militant woman were produced before the division bench in presence of her mother who wanted Anjali to be with her.

The custody of Madhuri's two other daughters - also in their childhood - were given to their maternal uncle.

Sivasagar SP Syamal Saikia said the jail authorities had been directed to ensure proper nutrition and medical care to the 'jailed' child Anjali. ''On the DGP directions, I have sought a regular report to ensure that the child is not deprived of the basic needs,'' the SP said.

While none could justify or defend the doings of the parents, the fate of their children hangs in balance as they run the risk of being deprived of a normal childhood.

Perhaps, the Chief Minister's recent announcement to set up two rehabilitation centres exclusively for militancy-hit children and widows could help change their fates.

UNI