18 cases of child abuse recorded in July

Child Rights NGO Balala Hakkula Sangham (BHS) announced on Tuesday that 18 cases of torture against children were recorded in July across the state which included rapes and attempts to murder. In a fresh incident near BJR colony in Jawahar Nagar, a five-year-old was branded and beaten up by her step-father Prashanth.

Other incidents including suicide by children, corporal punishment at schools, torching and selling of chil- dren, were recorded. “Lack of action by the edu- cation department and police is clear from these incidents,” said BHS in a statement. Speaking on the issue, president of Balala Hakkula Sangham Anuradha Rao ex- pressed anguish and de- manded that the government concentrate on child issues to restore their rights that can enable dignified future to children.