Shillong: During the early hours of Wednesday, an infant was abandoned at Meghalaya social welfare minister Kyrmen Shylla’s residence in Nongrim hills, Shillong.
The infant was found neatly wrapped in clothing and was left beside a car inside the premises of Shylla’s residence. The incident came to light at 6:30 am when a relative of the minister had stepped out of the house and noticed the infant.
Shylla, who was very keen on adopting the baby, said that he will follow the protocol and apply for adopting the baby. While speaking with the media, Shylla said, “At 6:30 am, when my cousin had gone out, she saw the baby nicely wrapped in a manner that the baby does not get hurt or receive any injury. The intention of the person leaving the child was to ensure that the baby should be in safe hands. The baby was placed near the car. So my cousin was worried wondering whose baby was it. At first, they thought that it was just some clothes but when they checked, there was a baby and I got a call and I immediately left from my quarters to my residence.”
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Shylla made a call to the police and informed them of the incident to which the Laitumkhrah police department arrived at his residence. Normal procedures were carried out, while Shylla’s sister took care of the infant. Shylla then sought permission from the police if they could take the baby to the hospital to check if the baby was not injured, to which the police approved.
“I rang DCPO Kong Matti from the social welfare department and even she advised to take the child to the hospital. Even officers from Lawei Baphyrnai had come to check on the infant. The doctor confirmed that the baby was unharmed. So I had enquired about the procedure to adopt the baby even my family members were persisting on adopting the child, but I told them there were procedures to be followed,” said Shylla.
Shylla said that he didn’t lose hope after being informed that it was a long procedure to follow. The infant was then handed over to Lawei Baphyrnai specialised adoption agency.
An official statement from the district child protection officer, district child protection unit, East Khasi Hills, Shillong, said, “The baby is under the care and protection of the Lawei Baphyrnai Specialised Adoption Agency, Shillong. Any relatives/person having information of any sort regarding the infant may kindly contact the office of the District Child Protection Unit, Lachumiere, East Khasi Hills, Shillong, or contact 0364-2502310, and claim the infant within 60 days, failing which she will be declared legally free for adoption.”
