Prisoners’ kids suffer in pain, wait for parents

Hundreds of traumatized children of poor prisoners, undergoing life imprisonment in Andhra Pradesh jails, who have been living alone for years, eagerly wait for the government to release their parents on Republic Day. These children, many of them facing mental and physical trauma, are living in the hope of reuniting with their parents.

N. Abhilash, 12, from Karimnagar says, “For years I have spent sleepless nights without my parents and for the last four years have been suffering from asthma. I get regular attacks and at times fall unconscious. I lived alone during my childhood but need my father as I am growing up.”

Balakrishna, 14, from Moinabad, says, the sight of my father lying in a

I need my mother for mental and moral support. My brother doesn’t remember my mother, but yearns for her love

pool of blood is unforgettable, but now I need my mother for mental and moral support. My younger brother doesn’t remember my mother, but yearns for her love.”

Most of the parents of these innocent children belong to the working class and agricultural backgrounds.

Chakradhar Rao, 11, from Khammam district says, “When I was in a hostel in Moinabad, my friends threw sand in my ear drum which has

Though my father has taken my mother’s life I want my father to be released because he said the he has reformed

made me deaf for life. I am completely deaf now.” Seven year old Soni, from Adilabad district says, “Though my father has taken my mother’s life I still want my father to be released because he said the he has reformed and wants to take care of me and my younger sister.”

A couple of Hyderabad NGOs have submitted memorandums to Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy and home minister Sabita Indra Reddy for the release.