DHENKANAL: Child activists have slammed the district administration and police for failing to rehabilitate the children of jeweller Mantu Patra, who was murdered by an Army sepoy in connivance with the former’s wife.
Army jawan Sanjay Kumar, who allegedly had an illicit relationship with Mantu’s wife Aruna Patra, was arrested on Saturday. Aruna was arrested earlier for her alleged involvement in the crime.
Sources said with mother in jail, the children are the worst sufferers of the ghastly crime that has shaken the town. Sources said the children, studying in classes I and VIII, are staying in a rented house with Aruna’s mother in Mina Bazaar area of the town. They have been asked by the house owner to vacate the premises.
Dhenkanal SP Santosh Kumar Nayak said no decision has yet been taken to rehabilitate the children. District Child Welfare Committee members informed that they have not yet been contacted by the police for the rehabilitation of the children. District Child Protection Officer Anuradha Goswami said she had met Aruna in jail.