Alleged ‘sale’ of a 6 year old child Nine individuals rounded up

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 2 : Nine individuals have been arrested for allegedly selling a six year old boy for Rs 1 lakh and they have been remanded to police custody for investigation.
The child has been handed over to the Child Welfare Committee, Imphal West by the Social Welfare officials and police.
According to reports received by The Sangai Express, a 33-year-old man from Khaidem Mayai Leikai in Imphal West and his wife sold their child for Rs 1 lakh with the assistance of the man’s sister.
They have been arrested by Patsoi police.
Initially, six individuals, including the parents of the child were arrested in connection with the case on Dec 31 and they have been remanded to police custody till January 5 by the Duty Magistrate of Imphal West.
Another three individuals were arrested in connection with the case and they too have been remanded to police custody till January 5.
Of the nine individuals arrested, six have been identified as L Herojit, L Jina, H Sandhyarani, S Bijenti, Th Bina, and P Mandeshwari.
The identities of the remaining three could not be confirmed at the time of filing this report.
According to the child’s relatives, the child was taken out by his parents and aunt on Dec 26. However, when they returned in the evening, the child was missing.
Upon questioning, the parents claimed that the child had been placed in a boarding school at Langmeidong.
The relatives stated that the parents and aunt of the child went missing on December 28 after other family members began asking about the child.
When they could not be located, a post was uploaded on social media.
They added that on December 30, the child’s aunt contacted them, informing them that the child was safe and they would return soon.
The relatives stated that the parents and aunt of the child were picked up from Khumbong by family members later.
Saying that the child’s aunt informed them that the child had been sold for Rs 1 lakh to a person at Uripok, the relatives claimed that they were threatened by some individuals when they demanded the child’s return and offered to return the money.