Child marriages during Covid-19 lockdown worry ASCPCR

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Covid-19 lockdown was a period when children had to remain indoors away from their classrooms.

That has a cascading effect on their well-being. What went unnoticed during the period was child marriage – seven in 2020 and three till July 15 this year – in the state.

ASCPCR (Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights) chairperson Dr Sunita Changkakati made this startling revelation.

ASCPCR had been working in full swing through its helpline number 1098 during the lockdown period. It did ask all deputy commissioners to seek its support for the rescue of children in distress. The commission made the Covid-19 test mandatory for all rescued children and brought them to child homes.

Talking to this reporter, Dr Kakati said, "Generally officers in charge (OCs) of most of the police stations are reluctant to spend funds on rescued children. However, we put pressure on OCs to spend such funds for rescued children as well.

"Police stations seldom inform us of cases registered under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POSCO) Act. If they inform us of such cases, victims can get compensation and counselling that are very crucial for them.

"We requested Finance Minister Ajanta Neog to fill up the vacant posts in the Social Welfare Department. The department should lay stress on the district units of Child Protection Forums that work at the grassroots level.

"Child homes are scarce in many areas in the state. We have appealed to the government to set up more child homes in the state.

"There are children who failed to take their examinations as their parents cannot pay school fees. We did work for a fee waiver and financial assistance for Covid-19 orphans. Of course, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made financial assistance for such children a reality."

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