In a significant child protection operation, the Meghalaya Directorate of Social Welfare officially received 24 children who were brought back to the state from Karnataka's Chikkaballapur district. The handover took place on Tuesday in the presence of officials and representatives from various child rights organisations.
Coordinated Effort Ensures Safe Return
Agatha Sangma, Chairperson of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR), expressed her gratitude to the departments and agencies in both Karnataka and Meghalaya. She highlighted that their coordinated efforts were crucial in ensuring the children's safe return in good health. This successful repatriation underscores the importance of inter-state cooperation in safeguarding vulnerable minors.
Rising Concern Over Improper Transfers
Sangma voiced deep concern over the increasing number of cases where children are taken out of Meghalaya without following proper legal procedures. She recalled a similar incident from a few months ago, where children from the state were moved without official oversight. These repeated events stress an urgent need for stronger preventive mechanisms to stop such unauthorized movements.
In response to this gap, the SCPCR has taken a proactive step. Sangma confirmed that the commission has written to the Chief Minister, recommending the formulation of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) specifically for the movement of children below 18 years to institutions outside Meghalaya. She noted that the current absence of a robust monitoring mechanism has allowed these "improper transfers" to occur.
Case Details and Parental Hopes
Camelia Doreen Lyngwa, the Director of Social Welfare, provided further details, stating that her department first received notice of this case in August. She pointed out that a majority of the rescued children come from marginalised families, for whom providing safe housing remains a significant challenge.
Lyngwa explained the parents' perspective, noting that they had hoped for better educational opportunities for their children outside the state. They trusted that their children would be placed in secure and supportive environments. However, this trust was breached. The District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) of Chikkaballapur discovered that the facility where the children were staying was in poor condition and was not registered with the Karnataka government, raising serious safety and welfare concerns.
The incident has sparked a renewed call for systemic reform. Child rights advocates and officials are now pushing for the swift implementation of the proposed SOP to create a safer framework for children's welfare and prevent such distressing scenarios in the future.
