Latest news with #DistrictChildProtectionUnit
Hindustan Times
12-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Nagaland observes World Day against Child Labour with call to protect children's rights
Kohima, Nagaland observed 'World Day Against Child Labour' on Thursday, with a call for all stakeholders — including government agencies, civil society, and the public — to intensify efforts in eliminating child labour and safeguarding children's rights. The event, marked by awareness drives for leaders of colonies and wards, emphasised that despite progress, child labour persists in various forms across the state. Joint Labour Commissioner T Chubayanger cited growing reports of families — particularly in urban centres like Kohima — employing children under the pretext of "mission work" or as domestic help, often subjecting them to neglect or abuse. He reiterated that employing children below 14 years is illegal, carrying penalties of up to six months imprisonment and ₹20,000 fine or both. Adolescents aged between 14 and 18 may be employed only under non-hazardous conditions, with limited working hours, he said, adding that violations can result in fines and imprisonment. "If both husband and wife are working, they should employ an adult to look after their children instead of violating the rights of another child," he said. Chubayanger said the Labour department, in coordination with other agencies, has initiated raid of establishments which include shops, commercial establishments, workshops, farms, restaurants, etc. The joint labour commissioner also announced that surprise inspections of homes where children are engaged as domestic helpers and schools targeting cases of children being consecutively absent for more than 15 days under the Right to Education Act would be launched soon. Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, B Henok Buchem, reaffirmed the district's commitment to penalise those employing children illegally. "As a people known for our warrior heritage and Christian values, it is unacceptable that crimes against children are being normalised in our society," he said. He called for collective responsibility and moral vigilance, urging society not to judge children based on their socio-economic background. Kohima District Child Protection Officer Sekho Dawhuo highlighted the role of the District Child Protection Unit under the Mission Vatsalya programme. The DCPU is responsible for protecting vulnerable children — including those in need of care, children in conflict with the law, and children eligible for adoption, he said. The officer stressed the importance of community participation in identifying child labour and abuse, urging citizens to immediately report such cases to local police or dial the Child Helpline 1098, a 24x7 emergency outreach service. Dawhuo emphasised the role of the Child Welfare Committee , a legal body constituted under the Juvenile Justice Act, empowered to ensure the rehabilitation and care of rescued children. He reminded the media to protect the identity of children involved in abuse or labour cases, as per Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act 2015. "Violating this section by revealing any identifying details can result in imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to ₹2 lakh," he said.
The Hindu
04-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
47 ‘minor' girls rescued from four shrimp processing units in Nellore district
As many as 47 girls, suspected to be minors, working in four shrimp processing units, were rescued by special teams during joint inspections across SPSR Nellore district. Cases have been filed against these firms and the labour contractors at the Kodavalur, Dagadarthi and Indukurupeta police stations. As per the orders issued by District Collector O. Anand, the special teams constituted of officials from District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Anti Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Factories and Police departments. Speaking to The Hindu, District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) Suresh Kumar said, 'The teams conducted inspections at 12 shrimp processing units as per the action plan. We identified some girls, suspected to be minors, engaging in child labour, in four shrimp processing units.' 'With the support of Medical Officer, the DCPU has rescued these girls, who allegedly have been recorded as majors in their Aadhaar cards. They were shifted to Viswajanani, a child care institution registered under Juvenile Justice Act, at Rajupalem village in Kodavalur mandal,' he informed. Of the 47 girls, 10 have been confirmed as minors based on general, dental and radiological examination conducted by a team of doctors from ACSR Government General Hospital (GGH) in Nellore. Following the examinations, they were handed over to their parents from Odisha.
India Today
02-06-2025
- India Today
Tamil Nadu pastor assaults sons for playing with Hindu child, arrested
A Christian pastor from Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari district has been arrested for allegedly assaulting his two young sons for playing with a Hindu child from the accused, 42-year-old Kingsley, resides in an apartment in the Karungal area with his wife and three children. Kingsley is a pastor and would often take his wife and eight-month-old baby along with him for sermons, leaving his six-year-old and three-year-old sons locked up at to police, on May 29, Kingsley returned home and saw his sons playing with other children from the neighbourhood. He became furious, reportedly because one of the children they were playing with was Hindu, and dragged his sons back into the apartment, where he is alleged to have assaulted them with skipping ropes. Neighbours, alerted by the sound of the children crying in pain, contacted the District Child Protection Unit and Karungal Police. Officials who arrived at the scene said they were shocked to find visible injuries and beating marks all over the children's children were immediately rescued, and during preliminary questioning, reportedly told officials that their father was angry because they had played with Hindu has been booked under Sections 296(b), 115(2), and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act. Section 296(b) of the BNS pertains to obscene acts and songs in public places, while Section 115(2) deals with voluntarily causing hurt. Section 351(3) defines the offence of criminal intimidation. Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act relates to punishment for cruelty to a IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu
New Indian Express
31-05-2025
- New Indian Express
17-year-old disabled boy goes missing from shelter home, search launched
COIMBATORE: A 17-year-old boy with an intellectual disability has gone missing under mysterious circumstances from Universal Peace Foundation, a private shelter home near Annur in Coimbatore, weeks after the murder of another youth with a similar disability at a care home in Pollachi. The Annur police have registered a case and launched a search to trace the boy, identified as Vikram, whose antecedents are unknown. The boy has been missing for over a fortnight but the shelter home personnel lodged a missing complaint at the Annur station only on Wednesday, leading to a joint investigation on Friday by officials attached to the department of Welfare of Differently Abled Persons and the District Child Protection Unit. Police said Vikram was rescued a few months ago and sent to an integrated rehabilitation home at Nallagoundenpalayam that houses destitute children, elderly persons, women, and people with disabilities. The facility currently has 402 residents. According to the complaint, Vikram and seven other inmates were taken to a vocational training centre at A Kumarapalayam, about six kilometres from the shelter. On May 10, while returning from the centre, Vikram went missing. Sources said the shelter home authorities initially conducted a search on their own but failed to trace him. They filed a police complaint only on May 28. The disappearance was also not reported to the Department of Welfare of Differently Abled Persons, as required. 'Nobody knows the boy's personal details, but everyone refers to him as Vikram. He speaks Tamil. The shelter home management has been instructed to intensify the search in the area where he went for training and around the shelter,' police sources said.
Hans India
25-05-2025
- Hans India
Woman sells minor son for Rs 18K
Jajpur: In a shocking incident, a woman allegedly sold her seven-year-old son for Rs 18,000 at Bada Suara village in Jajpur district. The incident came to light after the grief-stricken father of the boy sought the help of the district authorities to get back his child. Reports said Prasant Parida of Bada Suara married Puja in 2017. The couple had a son named Sairam. Prasant, who used to wash dishes at a hotel to eke out a living, was raising his son in the best possible manner with his meagre income. The couple was going through a rough patch due to domestic issues. When their tiffs became irreconcilable, Puja left for her parents' home with her son four years ago. Prasant, however, remained in constant touch with his son and provided his needs. Four years later, Puja returned to Prasant's house but without their son. When Prasant questioned her about his son, Puja revealed that she had sold Sairam for a sum of Rs 18,000. She further said she took this step due to financial hardships. 'My wife returned home without my son. When I questioned her about the child, she told me that she had sold him to some men for Rs 18,000 so that she could arrange medicines for her health. Despite repeated pleadings to tell me about my child, she refused and did not share any information,' said Prasant. Prasant then approached District Collector P Anvesha Reddy. The Collector has asked the Additional District Magistrate to look into the incident. Meanwhile, the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) has also been informed to submit a report on the child's whereabouts and probe the veracity of the allegations. The DCPU has taken cognisance of the case and started an inquiry on Friday. 'If the allegations are true, then due proceedings will be taken as per law,' said a DCPU official.
