PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) mulls an awareness campaign across various areas of the State in the light of the recent disappearance of two minor girls under the Patel Nagar police station limits. This campaign will be conducted in every settlement with the support of local workers, aiming to alert parents and children.
Sharing details, the chairperson, SCPCR, Geeta Khanna said that a formal case has been registered regarding this incident at the Patel Nagar police station. “Of the two missing minors, one aged 16 years has been traced and then reunited with her family while the other aged 14 years is still missing,” she said.
Citing preliminary information, she said that the still missing girl might be in Bihar. “Both the girls were abducted by young men from Bihar that State. With outsiders perpetrating most of the crimes, the migrant women and children living in settlements are increasingly becoming victims of violence, leading to an urgent need for police verification,” she stated.
She also expressed concerns over surging number of girl dropouts in schools. “The commission will focus on identifying the reasons behind this trend and then we will try to reconnect these children with education,” she said. She also cited the recent case involving three sisters found at Rispana Bridge who had left home in anger. “This behavior is becoming increasingly discernible among children in our State, contributing significantly to the number of missing children. Trafficking and other crimes are linked to such incidents. The commission is committed to addressing these activities seriously and schools must also participate in the awareness campaigns. The parents’ role is important too. They should maintain healthy communication with their children so they can understand their feelings and resolve any doubts promptly,” she said.
Further, Khanna urged the common people not to spread misleading or unverified information on social media and to remain vigilant concerning the safety of children. “The commission will soon launch a comprehensive awareness campaign in this matter too,” she added.
