A 16-year-old Bangladeshi girl who was arrested from Thamarassery on charge of violating the Foreigners Act will be produced before the District Collector on Friday as part of beginning the formal deportation procedures.
A formal order in this regard was issued by the Juvenile Justice Board after reviewing a series of incidents reported following her arrest on May 12.
Official sources said the district administration would also ensure the proper rehabilitation of the girl with the support of the Bangladesh-based human rights organisation Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK). Punarjani, a Kozhikode-based forum of lawyers, too would come to the aid of the district administration as the minor girl was confirmed to be a sexual abuse victim and also pregnant.
The police action taken nearly six months ago against the minor girl without verifying her age had drawn severe criticism from various parts of the State.
Ascertaining age
As per the police report, the girl was 20 years old, which resulted in her remand in judicial custody for several months. However, in an inquiry by Punarjani, it was found that the girl was only 16. Very soon, she was shifted to the Juvenile Home at Vellimadukunnu.
Following the strange developments, the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights too had intervened in the issue and directed the Additional Chief Secretary of Home Affairs in Kerala to withdraw all the cases slapped against the girl and conduct an inquiry into the slips made by the police. It had also directed the District Collector to ensure the safe return of the girl to her homeland.
