Dimapur: The Nagaland State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NSCPCR) on Thursday flagged its key challenges, including inadequate infrastructure and facilities for children requiring care and protection, particularly children with mental health concerns, substance abuse issues and disabilities, in the state.
The commission raised these issues at a review meeting of its functioning called by Governor Nand Kishore Yadav at Lok Bhavan in Kohima, calling for additional members and regular staff, as well as enhanced grant-in-aid to effectively implement its functions and activities.
During the meeting, the commission presented an overview of its activities and initiatives undertaken from 2023 to date.
The presentation highlighted the commission’s efforts in monitoring the implementation of key child protection laws, including the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, the Right to Education Act, 2009, and the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, across the districts of Nagaland.
It said regular awareness programmes have been conducted involving tribal bodies, village councils, schools and district heads of departments. It also facilitated convergence among the police, judiciary, social welfare, health, education, labour and NGOs, besides undertaking inspections of child care institutions, observation homes, special homes and schools.
The commission has also conducted talk shows on child rights and protection through radio and Doordarshan and initiated efforts to incorporate provisions of the JJ Act and POCSO Act into the curriculum of the Nagaland Police Training School.
The review also covered initiatives undertaken by the commission, including intensive training programmes for police personnel on the JJ Act and POCSO Act at the state and district levels, as well as workshops with the media fraternity on “Child Friendly Media” and the role of the media in child protection.
The commission also participated in the deliberation and formulation of the Tawang Declaration during a convergence programme held at Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, contributing to a collective framework for advancing child rights and protection in the region.