Martam NGO helps return Sikkim minor rescued in Delhi

ORGANISATION HOPES FOR MORE INFORMED AND PROACTIVE APPROACH TO KEEP THE YOUNG SAFE FROM EXPLOITATION
GANGTOK: An interesting case relating to the rescue of a minor, employed as a housemaid in New Delhi, has came to light from Martam-Gangkha in East Sikkim.
According to the local NGO, Martam Charitable Youth Association, which played an important role in rescuing 15-year-old Sushma Baraily of Martam from New Delhi, Sushma was ‘lured’ by a lady “unknown to the local society”, named Babita Darjee in November-December 2010 to leave home without consulting her parent’s, who hail from economically weaker section. Babita was later recognized as being related to a person living in the village.
After around three months of no word about their daughter, her parents in early February received a message from New Delhi that their daughter was in Delhi and in need of help.
Because of their weak economic background, the parents could not head towards Delhi immediately.

Seeing their situation, the local NGO, under the leadership of its president Tshering Dawa, came forward and rushed a team led by their general secretary, Karma Topden, alongwith the girl’s mother Ropa Baraily and uncle Rajendra Diyali.
They reached Delhi on 09 February and found Sushma sheltered in an orphanage. On enquiring, Sushma revealed that Babita had taken her to Delhi and put her to work in a hotel belonging to one Vishnu KC, a resident of 612 Delhi Government Flat at Gulabhi Bagh.
She further informed that after a dispute with her owner, she was “returned” to Babita. After that Babita started torturing and even tried to force her to marry her son. But she refused.
She was then employed as a housemaid by a nurse, whose identity remained unknown to Sushma till date. The situation got worse when her new employer left her locked inside the house for nearly a week. When the neighbours heard her cries, they rescued her and admitted her to an orphanage and sent a message to her parents in Sikkim.
After hearing from Sushma, the parents and NGO member registered an FIR with the local police station and case under sections 342/363/366/34 of IPC was registered against Babita, KC and nurse. Because the case was under investigation, the team from Sikkim had to return without Sushma.
Around a month later, a phone call from Delhi invited Sushma’s parents allowing them to bring her back to Sikkim. This time, the parents sold a pair of oxen and managed some money to bring her back. Since  her return, she has been staying with her uncle.
Suddenly on 15 May, the NGO president and general secretary were informed that her first employer, Vishnu KC and her wife were at Sushma’s uncle house to take her back to Delhi. On reaching there, the duo found that they were here because of a Court Order granting him bail after furnishing personal bond of Rs. 25,000 alongwith Rs. 31,000 deposited with the Registrar General of the Court as compensation amount to Sushma.
The Court has compelled him to reach Sushma as it read, “On the next date of hearing, the Petitioner will ensure the presence of Ms. Sushma Chettri so that the amount can be released to her. The travel expenses of Ms. Sushma Chettri will be borne by the Petitioner.” The hearing date is slated for 20 May 20011.
The NGO members informed the local Panchayats and decided to send Sushma alongwith the NGO’s general secretary and her uncle to Delhi. The photo identity cards and a copy of bail accepted by the Court alongwith an agreement signed by KC couple have been kept in the possession of the NGO until Sushma and others return to Sikkim safely.
They left for Delhi on 16 May.
After narrating the whole story, the NGO president Tshering Dawa has appealed to the society to wake up and discourage such incidents in future. He also pointed out that such incidents happen due the negligence of the society and local Panchayat should prevent unknown persons from entering the villages.
“Such situation arises not only in Martam and we are putting this effort hoping that our works will help opening eyes of Sikkimese people and of the concerned authorities,” said Dawa.