Mulky: Conversion, Confinement of Minors Alleged on Prayer Centre
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SB)
Mulky, Apr 3: The women and child welfare department officials in Haleyangady near Mulky here saved a group of children, who were in illegal confinement, after conducting a raid. It is alleged that the children were also under pressure to convert from their religion.
The incident came to light when gram panchayat president when to the spot to inspect after a complaint lodged about clogged drains by the locals. It is alleged that a couple, K J Joy and Elizabeth, and their children Joel and Jobi, who are running a prayer centre are behind the gruesome act. Further, locals are suspicious about the workings of this centre, which has been functioning near railway gate here. The waste from the building and dirty water flowing from the drain have angered the locals, which resulted in the complaint.
On inspection, the GP president and members found out that the children were also subjected to domestic violence and physical abuse, which was substantiated by the children there. They said that they were working at the centre for last three years. However, K J Joy refuted the allegation and informed that it was just a simple children's hostel. He also said that he has been providing education and shelter to orphans below the age of 15, for which he also has been getting financial support from foreign countries. But he failed to produce documents to strengthen his claim. Soon, the gram panchayat authority complained to the department concerned, which resulted in the raid.
It is further learnt that the centre has not taken permission either from gram panchayat or the department concerned to run the centre.
It is also alleged that a girl from the centre has been molested, the knowledge of which made enraged locals thrash Joy. The girl has been subjected to medical examination and the results are awaited. Further investigations on four more girls, who were living here and now gone missing is also being conducted. The children also alleged that they were forced to live like Christians and read the Bible.
The police have taken Joy into to custody. The children have been admitted to child protection centre.