SHILLONG, Dec 3: The Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) has initiated firm action against an illegally operating organisation after 25 children from the state were rescued from a student home in Karnataka, officials said on Tuesday.

The children, aged between 8 and 13, were found at Sowmya Kesanupallii Student Home in Chikkaballapur district, where they had been sent without proper documentation or government approval. They were reportedly taken there by the Leisynshar Cultural Society, an organisation now blacklisted by the government for operating without valid registration.

The rescued children include 10 from East Khasi Hills, 7 from East Jaintia Hills, 6 from West Jaintia Hills and 1 from West Khasi Hills. They were promised free education and accommodation, but officials say the conditions they were kept in were inadequate and raised serious concerns about child safety.

MSCPCR Chairperson Agatha Sangma confirmed that the organisation has been ordered to shut down. “The DC has given an order to stop the organisation from functioning, and an official letter has been issued,” she said.

She expressed alarm over the increasing trend of children being taken out of Meghalaya by groups claiming to offer better education opportunities. “It’s a hoax, and they’re being manipulated. The government is working to upgrade elementary and government schools in Meghalaya,” she said.

The case is currently before the Karnataka High Court. The children have been temporarily placed at the Government Children’s Home in Chikkaballapur and will soon be shifted to the Children’s Home Girls, Mawkasiang, Shillong.

Officials said the Social Welfare Department will coordinate with the Education Department to arrange bridge courses and preparatory classes to ensure the children can smoothly join the 2026 academic session.

“The education of the children will be taken care of,” Sangma assured, adding that the state government is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all rescued minors.