Three minors at childcare centre 'burnt' with hot spoons as punishment, inquiry ordered

Karimnagar (Tel): In a shocking incident, three minors of a state-run child care centre in Karimnagar allegedly had their wrists burnt with a hot spoon by staff members for refusing to eat food.The incident, which took place on 15 April evening, came to light on Thursday after local television channels flashed the CCTV footage showing the alleged torture at the 'Shishu Gruha'.[caption id="attachment_2694110" align="alignleft" width="380"] Representational image. AFP[/caption]According to officials of ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme) Karimnagar who visited the centre and inspected the footage on Thursday, Rajan (2), Geetha (5) and Swaroopa (5) were severely burnt with the hot spoon on their wrists by staff members Buchamma, Padma and Sharada, after the children allegedly refused to obey their orders to eat food that day.After the episode got highlighted, Karimnagar District collector Neetu Kumari on Thursday ordered an inquiry into it.The move came after a member of State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Hyderabad, Achyut Rao, issued a suo moto notice to enquire and initiate action against those responsible in the case.The collector also suspended manager Devaraj and caretaker Srilatha for lack of proper supervision after a visit to the shelter home this afternoon and directed officials to initiate a criminal case against the accused staff members.Meanwhile, Project Director Mohan Reddy of ICDS said initially, the care centre staff denied of having any knowledge (of the episode)."However, we went through the CCTV footage and came to know of this incident and severe action will be initiated."