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Call for protection of child rights

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Oct 28 - The �First Zonal Level Consultation on the Status of Child Protection Mechanism with a special focus on the Performance of the DCPU and Police in Assam� was organised by the Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR) in collaboration with UNICEF Assam at Yuva Vikas Kendra, Amingaon here recently.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sunita Changkakati, Chairperson of the Commission, mentioned that there is a requirement of strong coordination and collaboration among various stakeholders.

�In order to cater to the needs of children, there are various services launched by the government as well as the civil society organisations. Various departments and authorities such as the judiciary, the police and the civil administration have been made responsible to protect and promote the rights of children and to render protective and rehabilitative services to the children in need of care and protection,� she said.

IGP (CID) Surendra Kumar, while addressing the gathering, explained the role and responsibility of police in dealing with cases of offence against children, such as child marriage, child sexual abuse, child labour, cruelty against children, child trafficking, etc.

He mentioned that there is a shortage of female police personnel to cater to the needs of the present scenario, but it should not hamper the process of protecting children from all forms of abuse.

In his speech, Kamrup Deputy Commissioner Kamal Kr Baishya said, �There is a strong need of convergence and a common understanding of our jurisdiction and linkage with other stakeholders for a composite service delivery to the children to protect them from abuse and provide them with protective and rehabilitative services.�

Shweta Sharma, UNICEF Assam representative, mentioned that dialogue among stakeholders helps facilitate service delivery to be strong and better.

Surendra Talkhedkar, a social worker, laid stress on the commitment towards the cause of children. �Children are as tender as flowers and it is our moral and social responsibility to protect them and provide them with an environment for development,� he added.

The consultation ended with a group exercise among the stake-holders to encourage a strong and increased coordination, provide quality service to the children in need of care and protection, and also provide a conducive environment for them that is free from all forms of abuse and violence.

Among the participants were the Deputy Superintendent of Police, the 2nd OC of Police Stations, the District Child Protection Officer, the Protection Officer (I/C), the Protection Officer (NIC), the chairperson and members of Child Welfare Committee, members of the Juvenile Justice Board and Childline from Kamrup, Kamrup (M), Hojai, Darrang, Morigaon, Nalbari and Karbi Anglong.

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