Assam: SOP (standard operating procedure) on the anvil over crimes against children

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The state government is moving to beef up measures to tackle crimes against children and in consequence it is going to prepare an SOP (standard operating procedure) in this regard.

According to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, there is no call to enact a new law for crimes of a sexual nature against children as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act already exists, but the SOP will be prepared so that the Assam Police can be given some additional teeth.

As a preliminary step in this regard, the state government has already started the process of setting up 'child-friendly corners' in all the 346 police stations of Assam. Moreover, a 'Sishu Mitra Research Centre' will be set up at the CID office here and a 'Sishu Mitra Champion Award' will be given to police officers in the rank of Inspector to Superintendent of Police (SP) for outstanding investigation of crimes against children.

It may be mentioned that the first 'child-friendly corner' in the state was set up at the Bharalamukh Police Station in November, 2018. However, the Goalpara district is the first district where all 12 police stations have set up child-friendly corners.

The initiative is to provide counselling services to vulnerable children when they are brought to police stations. The police would conduct the inquiries in a child-friendly manner without disturbing the rights of the children. Another purpose of the child-friendly corner is to erase the fear of the police from the minds of the children.

According to Goalpara Superintendent of Police VV Rakesh Reddy, the second OC's room in each police station of the district has been designated as a child-friendly corner because the second OC is the designated child welfare police officer. Display signage with important contact of all stakeholders in juvenile justice is displayed mandatorily in each child-friendly room in police stations. Inside the rooms, child awareness posters, motivational quotes, child right quotes, toys, games, children's books etc., are displayed. Reddy added that soft skill training is already being given to police personnel from constable to inspector level to deal with women and children in particular.

Also Read: CM announces Rs 5 crore for Assam Agitation Welfare Trust, Online database of those injured to be set up

Also Watch: