Lucknow: In an intervention under the Uttar Pradesh government's child welfare initiatives, a five-month-old infant was reunited with his mother in Bijnor after prompt action by Child Helpline 1098, officials said on Sunday.
The case came to light after the Child Helpline received information on May 3 that a family dispute had led to the infant being separated from his mother. Officials said the child's father, Shahabuddin, turned his wife Faima Khatoon out of the house and kept the infant with him.
Authorities treated the matter as highly sensitive because the child, being only five months old, was fully dependent on maternal care and breastfeeding.
Officials said the Child Helpline team, functioning under the Mission Vatsalya Yojana of the women welfare department, coordinated with the anti-human trafficking unit (AHTU) and the child welfare officer of the local police station after receiving the complaint.
A joint team reached the spot and held separate as well as joint counseling sessions with both parents. Officials convinced the father that separating an infant from the mother could adversely affect the child's physical, emotional, and mental development. The team also sensitized the family about the legal and social implications of the issue and attempted to resolve the dispute peacefully in the best interest of the child.
Following counseling, Shahabuddin agreed to hand over the infant to his wife in the presence of officials.
Authorities said special emphasis was placed on ensuring that the infant continued to receive proper maternal nutrition, breastfeeding, and care.
Faima Khatoon, a resident of Loni in Ghaziabad, thanked the authorities and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for the prompt intervention. She said that after being separated from her child over a family dispute, she had approached Child Helpline 1098 for help, and officials acted immediately to reunite her with her child.
"The family will always remain thankful for the support and prompt action," she said. Officials said Faima has currently returned to her parental home along with the child. She has also appealed to the state government for support in raising the child.
Deputy Director of the Women Welfare Directorate, Pushpendra Singh, said, "Reunion of the five-month-old infant with his mother in Bijnor reflects the sensitive and coordinated functioning of Child Helpline 1098, the anti-human trafficking unit, and child welfare officials."
He added that the state government was committed to protecting the best interests of children and ensuring timely intervention in such sensitive cases.
