All Rescued Kids in Tamil Nadu From Zeme tribe

By Dhananjay Mahapatra

New Delhi, Apr 1 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered a thorough probe into the alleged incidents of child trafficking from Northeastern states by missionaries. Additional solicitor-general Indira Jaising said from the sketchy police report, majority of the children rescued from "homes" run by missionaries in Tamil Nadu appeared to be minor girls.

A bench comprising CJI K G Balakrishnan and Justices Deepak Verma and B S Chauhan issued notices to Manipur and Assam governments, seeking their response to the serious issue of trafficking.

The SP, Kanyakumari district, in his affidavit, informed the apex court that on a tip-off, the child welfare inspection committee visited 'Bethesda Blessing Ministries Home' at Plavilai, Kaliyakkavilai, run by Pastor Shaji and found 76 children in squalid conditions.

Kanyakumari SP informed SC that all children belonged to 'Zeme' tribe in Manipur and Assam and that Rev Paul belonged to the same community. "Due to poverty, parents of these children entrusted them to Rev Paul on the promise that he would provide better education and healthcare to them," the SP said.