GUWAHATI, Dec 18 - A state coordination meeting on protection of children in the tea gardens of Assam was organised by Save the Children, an independent child rights body, in collaboration with Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR) here today.
The meeting was chaired by ASCPCR member Phanindra Bujar Baruah. He highlighted the importance of crossing the gap when it comes to the learning divide due to lack of access to mobile phones, internet and electricity.
The Commission undertook a statewide initiative to understand the challenges faced by the children and their families. Bujar Baruah emphasised on using television and news channels to establish continuity of education for all children in remote areas, especially in the tea gardens.
Sukanya Das, DSP (CID), Assam shared the rising trend in crimes against children in the State. However, the increased number of cases also reflects improved reporting. Das also spoke about the SOP for investigating child-related matters.
Dipanjol Deka, secretary of Tea Association of India (TAI), reiterated the importance of legal provision for basti and fringe areas of tea gardens, coordination with tea unions and associations, and maintaining a register of children from these areas going out for work. He also recommended 100 per cent birth registration.
Tapan Deka, former Director of Health Services, reiterated their commitment to birth registration in unregistered pockets.
The ASCPCR member inaugurated an animated video that conveys messages on issues related to child rights that came to the fore during the pandemic. The members agreed to continue the coordination process for the safety and protection of children in the tea gardens to achieve the mandate of strengthening the child protection mechanism.
Earlier, Kritanjali Kashyap, coordinator�programmes of Save the Children welcomed the participants.
