One held in Baneshwar suicide attempt cases

A member of a governing body of the short stay home at Baneswar in Cooch Behar was arrested on Sunday in connection with the incident in which three women inmates of the home had attempted suicide by consuming phenyl. A few days ago the inmates had attempted suicide after failing to tolerate the alleged torture by the home authorities. Police had initiated a probe in this connection and arrested Bhajan Chowdhury. 

On January 8, around 19 inmates had attempted to flee the home. Local people had caught them and handed them over to the police. The police again sent them back to the home. The inmates had alleged that the home authorities do not provide them sufficient food. The rooms are never cleaned. This time they were not even got warm clothes. The inmates had also alleged that the authorities misbehaved with them. It is learnt that the inmates were also allegedly punished for attempting to escape from the home. The home is run by a non-government organisation. 

The home authorities brushed aside all allegations. The district administration took necessary steps to improve the present condition of the home and initiated a probe into the incident and order has also been given to remove the super of the home. Regular monitoring has been ensured so that the inmates do not face any inconvenience and they should get sufficient food on time. Arrangements have also been made to give them warm clothes so that they should not suffer in winter.