GUWAHATI, June 23 - The Childline Guwahati, which provides support for child protection and child rights with its 24-hour helpline, recorded around 100 cases related to children in distress since the beginning of the lockdown period till June 20.
According to the Coordinator of Childline Guwahati, Nirmal Deka, the Childline introduced the �COVID category� across the nation, which includes food, shelter and medical assistance, etc., to the distressed children.
In March, Childline Guwahati recorded altogether 40 cases. Among those cases, seven were restoration cases, three were missing cases, 10 were shelter-related cases, 14 cases were related to rescue or protection from abuse, and two cases were referred by another childline service.
Among the 10 cases reported in April, one was shelter-related case, four were rescue or protection from abuse cases and four COVID-related cases, while one case related to other interventions.
In May, altogether 38 cases were reported. Among them, two were restoration cases, three missing cases, six shelter-related cases, 17 cases were related to rescue or protection from abuse and seven were COVID-related cases.
According to official data, altogether 28 cases were reported to Childline Guwahati till the 20th of this month. A total of 198 cases were reported to Childline Guwahati this year till June 20.
Moreover, jointly with the Assam branch of the Indian Council for Child Welfare and with help from NGOs and well-wishers, the Childline Guwahati distributed grocery items, sanitizers and masks, etc., to 800 families of the city amid the lockdown. Essential commodities, masks and sanitizers were also distributed to 20 child care institutes of Guwahati during the period.
