Rise in street children in city raises concern

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Nov 16: The efficiency of government’s child protection programmes is in the spotlight following an increase in the number of children pushed to the streets by poverty and instability in households.

The increase has sparked public security and social risk concerns as the incoming children get exposed to drug abuse and involvement in crime.

The city has witnessed a large influx of street children coming from urban and rural parts of the country to join the already crowded street life causing serious concern.

“The numbers of street kids are increasing in the city over the years. Most of the kids are addicted to drugs and other bad habits. They are mostly seen in the railway station or other crowded places of the city,” a Childline official told The Sentinel.

A senior citizen of Commerce College area said that most of the street kids are either orphan or ruway children.

 “Most of the kids are seen asking for money to the college students and with the bucks they get they buy whitener sprit to inhale. Sometimes I talk to them and try to find out their problems. However, most of them are very rude,” he said.