**Dhenkanal**: A 9-yr-old boy identified as Rohit Das went missing two days back from the Kalpataru Ashram situated in Kanteikoili at Govindpur. He hailed from Gapos area in Rajgangpur. Baba Murari Das, who is the caretaker of the ashram, lodged a complaint with the Govindpur Outpost. The Sadar Police launched a probe into the incident but is yet to trace the missing child.
The parents of the child allege that the Baba is responsible for their son’s missing case. “He used to beat our son. On 23rd night, he informed us that our son has returned home. He is so small that he is unable to converse properly or travel alone. When we reached the ashram next day, we were with the police and dog squad searching for him. We found his clothes in the jungle. I think the Baba must have either killed or sold my only son,” alleged his father Himanshu Rohi Das.
Interestingly, the Murari Baba is also absconding.
“We suspect that the boy must have eloped after being physically beaten by the baba. We have started a manhunt to search for the child but we are yet to trace him. Now the Baba is also on the run and his phone is switched off,” informed Malay Nayak, IIC, Sadar PS.
“When we broke in the office for enquiry, we found out that an organization registered in the name of Radha Gobinda Jew Gousala and some school students were kept in the ashram. We have informed the CWC and Child Protection Officer to enquire about the legality of the ashram,” he further added.
Local Sarpanch Susant Kumar Jena observed, “ The children at the ashram were living in a very pitiable conditions. There should be a proper investigation and steps should be taken to stop such sebashrams in the district.”
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