Poverty stricken family ‘sold’ their new born baby in Tripura for Rs 5000, 4 sarees to a childless couple. Child Line authority rescued the baby, took custody.
Agartala, March 03, 2020: Tripura State Child Protection Commission authorities of Kailasahar under Unakoti district on March 2 rescued a baby who was reported to have been ‘sold’ by his parents to a childless couple 16 days ago from Gaurnagar gram panchayat area of the same district. The incident created sensation in the entire district and the matter is now being legally looked into by the authorities.
According to reports, Swapan Balmiki Das of Dhatucherra of Kailasahar sold his one month old son to a childless couple Anufa Begam and Sohel Alam of Kailashar in lieu of mere Rs 5,000 cash and four sarees.
A poor daily wage earner
Locals said, on January 13 last the baby was born to the poverty stricken Balmiki family. He was the fourth child in the family. Swapan Balmiki a daily wage earner found it hard to have one more child in the family and he decided to ‘sell’ his child in exchange of some money so that he can overcome the medication expenses of his wife who was still undergoing the health complications of post-pregnancy period .
Swapan Balmiki talked to his grandmother who shared this with Anufa Begum’s mother Sefarena Bibi, a resident of adjoining village. Sefarena conveyed the message to her daughter.
Anufa and Sohel married for the last eight years but they did not have any child. The couple decided to buy the child and brought the new born to their home on February 14 last.
Child Line got a whiff
However, after 16 days Child Line authorities of Kailasahar were alerted about the ‘sale’ and they started inquiry. It was then the Tripura State Child Protection Commission representative Bilkis Jahan, Child Line members along with police reached the house of Swapan to confirm the incident.
While speaking before the team of Child line, Swapan confessed that he had, indeed, sold his child for money as he had no other choice. Since last one and half years or so Swapan failed to secure a permanent job for him. Earlier, he used to work for the forest department but for some time the department stopped the work and he was left jobless.
Swapan told the team adding that he had no other choice to take care and make a better future of the child. Anufa Begum also confirmed before the team that it was not her child and she brought the child after she came to know about Swapan from her mother.
Ultimately, the Child-line representative Abul Hussain rescued the child and took over the custody. According to sources the sale may now invite legal actions against Swapan Balmiki. (Courtesy: Tripura Times)
