The 12-year-old, who is said to be addicted to tobacco, had stayed in the centre only for two days before he decided to make a daring escape. Meanwhile, Home Secretary Ram Niwas inspected and interacted with the children at the Centre on Saturday.

Vinod claims: “The other boys in the centre used to beat me up. We were not given enough food to eat and there was not much to do. I did not like it there.” At present, he is living with his parents in Bapu Dham.

Vinod reportedly escaped from the centre under the garb of visiting the toilet. There are seven children apart from him who were initially being looked after by an NGO, Good Beginnings, and were admitted to the Centre on March 17. Vardhan, the head of the NGO has got them back after Vinod escaped.

When Newsline met the children, two of them wanted to go back to the centre. Jyoti said: “I want to go back. We used to play and have fun. The teacher was very nice. I enjoyed and want to go and study there.”

Some, however, did not like the restrictions imposed on them and complained of “less food” being given.

Vardhan says, “We took the children out as the officials at the training centre refused to take responsibility if the children escaped. It is a security lapse and adequate staff is not present to look after the children. Also, there are not too many activities to keep the children occupied.”

Father Jose Sebastain, the director of the centre, says that the boy had been with them for just two days. “It is natural for him to feel homesick. Children take a few days or often weeks to adjust to the environment. They come from the streets and are used to being free spirits. Here they have to follow a routine which they take time to get used to. Also the boy is addicted to tobacco which was refused to him here,” the director says.

The Centre had 80 boys when it started a year back which has now increased to 122 boys and 34 girls. Father Sebastain also said various facilities are provided to the children including free food, clothing, medical facilities, entertainment, vocational skills, indoor and outdoor games in comfortable and dignified living conditions.

Home Secretary Ram Niwas inspected the centre and the facilities being provided. Expressing satisfaction, he said that the third phase of the centre is under construction.