The Government of India should intervene immediately to ensure the early return of two Indian children separated from their parents in Norway following an agreement between the two countries to hand over their custody to their Kolkata-based uncle.
This was conveyed by Communist Party of India (Marxist) Member of Parliament and Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat to External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna. She conveyed her “deep concern” over a statement made by a top Norwegian official that the children would not be sent to India before April.
“I think the head of the Child Protection Services, Gunnar Toresen, has prejudged the issue and he says even after April there is no guarantee of them being sent,” she told PTI.
She said, “Their visas are expiring on March 8 and they should not be extended. It is where the Government of India should intervene and take steps to bring the children back soon.”
She said Mr. Krishna gave a patient listening to her and promised all possible help in this case.
Under the agreement arrived at last month, which puts a closure to an eight month-long custody row, 3-year-old Abhigyan and his 1-year-old sister Aishwarya will be given to their uncle, Arunabhash Bhattacharya.
The agreement was firmed up by the Government of India through its mission in Norway with the Municipality of Norway, Norwegian Childcare Services, the parents (Anurup and Sagarika Bhattacharya) and their lawyer. — PTI
