Government should intervene 'strongly' in Norway case: Brinda Karat

NEW DELHI: The CPI(M) today sought Government's immediate intervention in ensuring early return of two Indian children separated from their parents in Norway following agreement between the two countries to hand over their custody to their Kolkata-based uncle.

CPI(M) MP and politburo member Brinda Karat met External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and conveyed her "deep concern" over the statement made by a top Norwegian official that the children will not be sent to India before April.

"I think the head of the Child Protection Services, Gunnar Toresen, has prejudged the issue and he says even after April there is no guarantee of them being sent," she said.

Karat told Krishna that India should "intervene strongly" and make sure that the two children return home as their visas expire on March 8.

"Their visas are expiring on May 8. Their visas should not be extended. It is where the Government of India should intervene and take steps to bring the children back to India soon," she said.

Karat said Krishna listened patiently and assured all possible help in this case.

Under the agreement arrived at last month which puts a closure to an eight month-long custody row, three-year-old Abhigyan and his one-year-old sister Aishwarya will be given to their uncle, Arunabhash who lives in Kolkata.

The agreement was firmed up by the Indian government through its mission in Norway with the Municipality of Norway, Norwegian Childcare Services, the parents (Anurup and Sagarika Bhattacharya) and their lawyer.