IMPHAL, August 23: The state government departments need to converge and work for mitigating the issues concerning the rights of the child, it seems that the government and specially the police force are not doing their jobs. At this present juncture Manipur may be ranking top status in tobacco substance abuse among the northeast states. This was stated by NCPCR member, Vinod Kumar Tikoo at a press meet held at Hotel Classic today.
He said that the two day workshop was being organized to make an impact in addressing the child rights issue subjective to substance abuse and the focus was predominantly on prevention, curative and rehabilitation issues.
It was asserted that there are various lapses in caring for the child concerning issues of child trafficking, substance abuse, child labor, right to education etc. Vinod mentioned his visit to the Juvenile Observation centre and Children Home located at Takyelpat yesterday. It was found that there was want of food, clothing and as well as concerning hygienic problems at the said institutes.
He however stated that the problems have been resolved and more help from the State government side have been promised.
“The Chief Minister has assured full-fledged support for the children which will be reflected on the action plan of the state”, he said, adding that the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) also needs to be strengthened.
The member when quizzed on other issues, stated that the NCPCR will organize a hearing at Imphal in the near future on the issue of child rights violations being reported in the state.
It may be mentioned that the NCPCR had conducted a hearing in 2011 at Kangla following which, the cases were referred to National Human Rights Commission.
Vinod Kumar Tikoo also expressed that substance abuse among minors can be best curbed by conducting intervention programs at schools, psycho-education projects with family members, among peer groups.
He added that counselling involvement in law enforcement has to be addressed sensitively and minors cannot be put in jail. “State actors and specially the Department of Home must be advised on this matter to exercise caution and sensitiveness while handling cases involving children,” he stated.
The member also voiced concern that the Manipur AIDS Control Society has only 6 functioning units out of 11 centers. The NCPCR team will leave for Delhi tomorrow.