ASCPCR’s 5th Zonal Level Consultation on Status of Child Protection Mechanism held in Chirang

Indrani Tahbildar, Member of the Commission speaking on the occasion mentioned that there is a requirement of strong coordination and collaboration among the various stakeholders.

"In order to cater to the needs of children in need of care and protection, there are various services that are in operation by government as well as Civil Society Organizations," Tahbildar said .

“Various departments and Authorities such as the Judiciary, the Police administration, the Civil administration etc. have been made responsible to protect and promote the rights of the children and to render protective and rehabilitative services to the children in need of care and protection. But the recent studies and the status of implementation of the schemes meant for child protection and rehabilitation reveals these have not been able to suffice to the requirement or have not been able to provide quality services to the children and thus there was a requirement to collate the prime stakeholders i.e the Police and the District Child Protection Unit on a single platform to discuss the issues and come to a collaborative understanding and increased convergence," she mentioned.

Sukanya Das, APS, DSP, CID Assam while addressing the gathering, explained the role and responsibility of the police department in dealing with the cases of offence against children such as child marriage, child sexual abuse, child labour, child beggary, cruelty against children, child trafficking etc.

She mentioned that there is shortage of women police to cater to the needs of the practical scenario, but, we have to understand that this should not hamper our commitment to protect our children from all form of abuse.

Pratibha Brahma, Social Worker and Vice-Chairman, TRIFED, GoI, addressing the gathering mentioned that 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.

The consultation ended with an elaborate group exercise between all the stakeholders and fostered the emergence of suggestions and way forward which would again foster a strong and increased coordination to provide quality service to the children in need of care and protection and to provide a conducive environment for them free from all forms of abuse and violence.

(Reporting by Hemanth Kumar Nath)