In a heart-rending incident, three children suffered serious burn injuries on their hands when ayahs (caretakers) branded them with hot spoon for not eating food at Sishu Gruha maintained by the State-run Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) in the town.
Though the incident took place on Friday, it came to light on Wednesday with the police, revenue officials, members of Child Welfare Committee and others visiting the orphanage on Savaran street opposite the residence of Maharashtra Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao.
Karimnagar Two Town Inspector K. Hari Prasad said the three orphan children – Swaroopa (5), Geetha (5) and Rajan (2) – suffered burn injuries when the ayahs – Padma and Butchavva – burnt their hands with hot spoon as they refused to eat food on Friday night. He said they were conducting a thorough investigation into the incident and have registered a case against the accused.
The CCTV footage recorded in the orphanage shows the two ayahs heating the spoon on the LPG stove and branding the children.
As the hapless children writhed in pain all through Friday night , the ayahs informed a social worker, Srilatha, about the incident on Saturday evening.
The children were sent to an Anganwadi centre for medical attention.
Ms. Srilatha said that they informed the ICDS Project Director Mohan Reddy about the incident on Sunday, who visited the Sishu Gruha on Monday and instructed the ayahs not to continue working in the orphanage.
Collector Neetu Prasad rushed to Sishu Gruha and expressed anguish over the incident. She directed the police to arrest the two ayahswhile another ayah, Sharada, was suspended.
Services of the manager of Sishu Gruha, Deva Rao, and social worker Srilatha were terminated.
It is understood that the Collector has recommended to the government to surrender the services of Mr. Mohan Reddy.
The State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has sought a report before May 2.
