Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (UM)

Udupi, Jul 13: Two children from Parkala left their home on the evening of Sunday July 12, reportedly to get away from their father who was habitually torturing them.

The siblings, named Meghashree, studying in 7th standard and Nagaraj, a student of 4th standard, were found and taken by the police on Monday July 13, but both of them refused to go back home.

They are children of Hanumantha, a tipper driver and Lalita, residents of Parkala.

It is said that Hanumantha used to beat the children regularly with belt. Unable to bear the torture anymore, the children decided to leave the home for good.

Accordingly, on Sunday evening, Meghashree and Nagaraj, packing some of their clothes, left home without informing anyone. The girl had ten rupees with her, with which they took a bus to Udupi and came to Shree Krishna Math in the hope of having food. However, as it was Ekadashi, food was not served.

The children then wandered around in the rain, until they were spotted by Mahesh, a security man at the parking lot of Sri Krishna Math. Mahesh asked them what they were doing there, and the children narrated their story. He then took them to his house and gave them food and overnight accomodation.

Mahesh also informed some of his neighbours about the children, who then informed the media. The police were also informed.

Udupi circle inspector Girish and police personnel visited Mahesh's house and took the children to the police station and counselled them. However, they refused to go back to their parents. The girl was in tears.

CMC member Janardhan Bhandarkar said that the children could be accomodated in a hostel. The children could be handed over first to the parents, and if their father continues to harass them, they could be taken to a hostel by the child welfare committee or other bodies, he said.

However, the children refused to go home. Further course of action has not been decided yet. The parents may be called and counselled, sources said. It is also learnt that after the children left their home, a missing complaint was filed in Manipal police station.