Gas cylinder stolen from Anganwadi centre, children sent home without meals

A cooking gas cylinder was allegedly stolen from an Anganwadi centre in Sepahijala district, forcing authorities to send children home without their scheduled meals on Tuesday, local sources said.

The incident took place at the Chumiar Dung Anganwadi Centre in Khamarbari area under Aralia Gram Panchayat in Charilam RD Block.

According to local sources, some residents noticed the centre's door open during a morning walk and alerted Anganwadi workers and other villagers. On inspection, the workers found that while food stocks meant for children were intact, the LPG cylinder used for cooking was missing.

The cylinder was allegedly stolen during the intervening night, the sources said.

As the centre had no cooking gas, meals could not be prepared for the enrolled children, who were subsequently sent home without food, they added.

Local residents alleged that the Anganwadi centre had witnessed similar thefts on earlier occasions and claimed that none of those cases had been resolved. They also questioned how repeated thefts could occur despite the centre being located along a busy roadside.

Sources said the main Anganwadi worker has been on leave for an extended period due to illness.

Police from Bishalgarh police station visited the spot after being informed and have launched an investigation into the theft. They are trying to ascertain how the incident took place and identify those involved, police sources said.