R Gokul,TNN | Feb 6, 2014, 03.01 AM IST

TRICHY: The parents of the children, who were allegedly ill-treated at the St Anne's Children's Home in Trichy staged a protest inside the campus against the district administration's order to close the home. The parents protested despite efforts taken by the district administration to house all the students in other hostels in the city. 

The order of the district administration to close the home for meting out unfair treatment to the 543 children staying there, prompted the parents of more than 300 children to stage the protest on the premises on Wednesday. They demanded not to close the home despite the fact that their children underwent severe trauma at the home. The raid conducted by the child welfare committee (CWC), district social welfare department (DSWO) and district child protection unit (DCPU) last week brought to light the ill-treatment meted to the children at this home. 

On getting information that officials had come to the home to execute the collector Jayashree Muralidharan's order to close it on Wednesday, the parents along with their children converged there and protested against the proposed closure. Though the officials explained to them about the irregularities, the parents did not pay heed to the officials. They stood firm on their demand not to close the home and to allow their children to stay there citing commutation from long distances. 

The argument between the officials and parents went till late on Wednesday as the district administration decided to close the home. 

"CWC and other departments conducted the raid at the home and submitted a report about the ill-treatment to the children such as unhealthy food, corporal punishment and making them take bath in the open. The report mentioned about the malnourishment of the children and skin diseases caused due to lack of cleanliness on the premises. Based on the report, the closure order was issued," Jayashree Muralidharan told TOI. 

The district administration already made arrangements to accommodate the students at other hostels in the city for the remaining academic period. "The parents should realise that the district administration has taken the step to close the home for the welfare of their children," said the collector.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/trichy/Parents-protest-move-to-shut-down-childrens-home/articleshow/29919775.cms