Tribal girls complain to mahila panel member

The police detained pastor K.V. Prasad Kumar of Light House Christian Children’s Home at Salur on the charge of sexually exploiting minor tribal school girls who are residing in the home for some time.

The home provides shelter to over 60 poor tribal girls who have enrolled in Mamidipalli Z.P. High School from class 6 to 8.

The issue came to light on Monday when a school teacher enquired about the long absence of a class 8 student for the past one month. And to her dismay, it was found that the girl aborted her foetus.

Member of State Women’s Commission Srivani Koyyana and MLC Gummadi Sandhya Rani visited the home on Tuesday and interacted with the inmates of the home. The girls told them that the pastor and his son had been misbehaving and sexually assaulting the girls for the past couple of years.

Based on their information, Ms. Srivani lodged a complaint with the DSP (SC/ST cell) D. Guru Murty and asked him to investigate thoroughly.

She also directed the Project Officer of ITDA, Parvathipuram, to admit the girls in Tribal Welfare Ashram Schools immediately.

Source:-http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/pastor-held-on-sexual-exploitation-charge/article21269291.eceS