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IMPHAL, June 23: The three Child Welfare Committees of Imphal West, Thoubal and Imphal East today called a press conference at the Observation Home of the Social Welfare Department at Takyelpat about the recovery of 31 children between the age … Continue reading →
The post `CWCs intercept 31 children from being taken outside the state suspiciously` appeared first on KanglaOnline.com.
The post `CWCs intercept 31 children from being taken outside the state suspiciously` appeared first on KanglaOnline.com.
IMPHAL, June 23: The three Child Welfare Committees of Imphal West, Thoubal and Imphal East today called a press conference at the Observation Home of the Social Welfare Department at Takyelpat about the recovery of 31 children between the age group of 5 to 17 years boarding a bus to be taken outside the state allegedly for studies.
Speaking to media persons, Thoubal CWC Chairperson Mala Lisham said that owing to the peculiar nature of the case, the matter was being taken up jointly by the three CWCs.
She said, “Today, on receiving an information from a Commando team of Imphal East Police Station that a group of people are trying to transport some children belonging to Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Chandel and Churachandpur from North AOC, outside the state; the members of CWC of Imphal West, Imphal East and Thoubal along with the Anti Trafficking Squad under the Dept. of Social Welfare, Govt. of Manipur and CHILDLINE Team, rushed to the spot and conducted a spot verification with the assistance of team of commando of Porompat PS Imphal East”.
“On verification it was found that 31 children between the age group of 5 to 17 years, had boarded a bus bearing Regd. No.MN01-1515. On further verification, it transpired that the said group of 31 children were being taken to a school situated in Greater Noida by one Lucy Niang of Sugnu, Thoubal District, Manipur”, she said.
“On questioning the said Lucy, she informed that some of the children are reading in the said school since some years back and some of the children were studying since last year”, the CWC Thoubal said.
“She further stated that the children came to Manipur for their vacations and they were returning to the school as the vacation was over. However, on insistence by the joint team to produce the relevant education documents such as Identity Cards and the list of children she was taking with her, she was unable to produce any relevant documents in connection with the children”, she further continued.
Elaborating further Mala said, “On further verification, it was found that out of the 31 children,majority were children in need of care and protection under the definition as provided in the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. It was also stated by Lucy Niang that all the expenses for travel and studies of the children are borne by the said school which created a reasonable suspicion of possibility of illegal transportation of the children”.
“Even assuming that her statements are correct, the same appears to be in violation of the Supreme Court`s order passed in W.P. (Cr). No.l02 of 2007 dated 01.09.2010 in Exploitation of Children in Orphanages in Tamil Nadu, wherein para no (b) directed that – The state of Manipur and Assam are directed to ensure that no child below the age of 12 years or those at primary school level are sent outside for pursing education, to other states until further orders”.
The CWC Thoubal Chairperson also said that in view of the aforesaid premises, prima facie, there appears to be reasonable ground for suspecting that the children were being trafficked by the aforesaid Lucy.
The Joint Committee further feels that there may be a larger gang involved in such illegal activities. This facts needs to be properly investigated and appropriate punishment be awarded if any person are found to be involved in such illegal activities. Therefore, the OC, of the Imphal Police Station, Imphal West, Manipur, is directed to register an F.I.R. and investigate into the matter, she told the media persons.
“Out of the 31 children, parents of some of the children appeared before the joint team of Committees and they prayed for restoration of their child to them. After consideration, the joint team of Committees are of the opinion that the best interest of these children will be served if those children whose parents appeared before the joint committees with proper documents for establishing their identities may be restored to them on their executing a personal bond and those children without parents shall be put in the custody of Govt. Children Home, Takyelpat in Imphal West for temporary shelter in order to protect them from further exploitation during the inquiry or until further order. Those parents whose children have been restored are directed to appear before the joint committee along with their children on 23.6.2013 at 11.30 a.m. at Govt. Children Home, Takvel, lmphal West District, Manipur”, she said.
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