'Rs 5,000 cash and 4 sarees' - what it takes to have a child?

Childless couple Anufa Begam and amd Sohel Alam, of Kailashar owned a child in lieu of mere Rs 5,000 cash and four sarees. It may seem hard to believe, but only recently the awful incident drew the attention of the child rights activists and child-line authorities of Kailasahar after 17 days.

The incident took place at Dhatucherra under Unakoti ADC village of Kailasahar where a poverty stricken couple sold their child to a childless couple in return of some money seeking better future of the child.

Local sources said, on January 13th last the baby was born in the family of Swapan Balmiki Das of Dhatucherra. Being fourth child of Swapan’s family, who is a daily wager by profession, it became hard for him to bear the expenses of upbringing.

Finding no way out, Swapan decided to sell his child in lieu of some money so that he can overcome the medication expenses of his wife who was still undergoing the health complications of post-pregnancy period.

On the other hand, as the news spread, Anufa Begum’s mother Sefarena Bibi, a resident of adjoining village came to know about the matter and conveyed the message to her daughter. Anufa and Sohel married since last 8 years, have no child. The couple, later, decided to buy the child and brought the new born to their home on February 14 last.

However, after 16 days of the incident, Child line authorities of Kailasahar came to know about the incident and started investigation on the matter. The team along with a team of police reached the house of Swapan to confirm the incident. While speaking before the team of child line, Swapan informed that he had sold his child in lieu of money as he had no other choice.

Since last one and half years or so Swapan failed to secure a permanent job for him. Earlier, he used to work for the forest department but for some time the department stopped the work and he was left jobless, Swapan told the team adding that he had no other choice to make for better future of the child.

Anufa Begum also confirmed before the Child-line team that it was not her child and she brought the child after she came to know about Swapan from her mother. Child-line representative Abul Husain rescued the child and took over the custody.