Agartala: Hunger forced a father to sell his eight-month-old daughter for Rs 200 to another couple in Tripura’s remote Peliamora village.
The incident sent ripples across the state administration, who immediately sent a team of officials to the village, which falls under Khowai district, to look into the matter. The hungry tribal family, who sold their daughter, were given food and clothes by the local authorities, who further assured them of future assistance. The newborn was returned to the family.
The father, who already has four children apart from the newborn, told local administration officials that he was forced to sell his daughter due to hunger and poverty. He also alleged that government schemes for poor hardly reached his village.
Speaking to the News18, Khowai District Magistrate, Dr S Mahatame said, “Our team is present in the village and are providing all kind of assistance to the tribal family. We are looking into the matter and will send a report to the government by tonight.”
“There are various angles in the matter and we are inquiring under what circumstances the incident took place. No doubt that this is an unfortunate incident," said the DM.
Locals allege that although Dr Mahatame is engaged in a lot of tribal welfare programs, the lower ranking officers are neck deep in corruption and prevent aid, relief from reaching the tribals.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders are demanding a high-level inquiry on how the hunger-stricken family’s names were not included in the BPL list.
Tripura BJP President, Biplab Das said, “It is a matter of shame. The Manik Sarkar government had done nothing for the poor and as a result, you can see how the poor are now resorting to selling their children. We want stern action against the local leaders.”
“This is not the first time such an incident took place in Tripura. In May 2017, a tribal mother sold her daughter for Rs 200 to an auto-rickshaw driver,” added Das.
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