Malkangiri: A couple wanting to separate has sold their nine-year-old son Basudev Bhumia a few days back in Malkangiri district. The two wanted to divorce one another as their love interests lay elsewhere. To ensure a seamless separation, the parents decided to sell off their son as he was a burden.
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The sell off which took place in Telgabecha village of Kianga panchayat under Mathili block in Malkangiri district, surfaced Monday. Basudev escaped from the house of the person who had bought him and narrated his plight to an Anganwadi worker at Salpapadar village. He alleged he was being tortured and was being forced to do menial jobs, the Anganwadi worker informed.
The Anganwadi worker identified as Jayanti Khara also said Monday that the man who had bought Basudev threatened her with dire consequences for providing shelter to Basudev. However, locals came out in support of Jayanti and informed officials of the Malkangiri district administration and police regarding the incident.
Mathili block development officer (BDO) Ashish Kumar Bhoi said that the matter is being looked into. “I will look into the matter personally. If the boy wants, we may shift him to his relative’s house or else we will provide him education and accommodation facilities. We will also try to contact his parents and launch a detailed probe into the alleged sale,” said Bhoi.
PNN