CHILDLINE RESCUES A CHILD BEGGAR FROM THE STREETS

A local news channel telecasted a story of a 10-year-old girl Nayna (name changed to protect identity) from the location where she was begging. Upon receiving the news, CHILDLINE Guwahati, Assam contacted the reporter of the news channel for more details.  Next day, along with the reporter and Dispur Traffic Police Outpost officials went to the house of the girl for further enquiry.

Nayna was the student of 5^th Standard. Her mother worked as a domestic help in different households to meet their daily expenses.  However, the mother met with an accident and fractured her hand. Hence, she was unable to go to work. The lockdown had further worsened their situation as there was insufficient food at home. Therefore, the child started begging on the streets.

The officials from the Dispur Traffic out Post provided emergency relief to the family. CHILDLINE team ensured that her case will be looked into and she and her mother will be assisted with all the possible facilities. Meanwhile, CHILDLINE is trying to link Nayna with the sponsorship scheme under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS).

Child begging is the worst violation of child rights and absolutely against a child’s dignity. Therefore, all the state and civil authorities as well as the civil society to unite and end this menace forever.

If you come across any child begging on the streets, please do not hesitate to call CHILDLINE 1098 and report a case. 

VICTIMS OF CHILD LABOUR RESCUED AND REHABILITATED

 

CHILDLINE Faridabad, Haryana received information about children who were working as child labourers at a chicken and egg shop. However, on reaching the location, the team did not find any children. Upon following up with the caller, the team learnt that the children came to work only in the night. The caller also shared photographic evidence. When CHILDLINE visited again, the team found three children aged 14 to 17 years working at the shop.

During the counselling session, CHILDLINE learnt that the children were school dropouts. An FIR was registered against their employer under the JJ Act and then they were presented before the CWC (Child Welfare Committee). The CWC ordered that they undergo a medical test and be given temporary shelter at Karm Marg. The next day, the children were handed over to their parents, who were also counselled.

Children engaged in child labour are deprived of dignity and childhood. Such children are unable to go to school often remain illiterate for the rest of their lives. Child labour is harmful to their overall development and mental health.

Therefore, if you come across a child engaged in child labour please do not hesitate to call CHILDLINE 1098.

CHILDLINE JOINS A COVERT OPERATION TO RESCUE A 14-YEAR OLD FROM THE TRAFFICKERS

 

Thane CHILDLINE, Maharashtra received a call from Mission Mukti for assistance to rescue a 14 year-old girl confined at a warehouse in Thane district. CHILDLINE shared all the documents received from Mission Mukti with CWC (Child Welfare Committee), DCPU (District Child Protection Unit) and Sr. Police Inspector of the local police station.  The same evening, NCPCR (National Commission for Protection of Child Rights) contacted CHILDLINE and confirmed the case of trafficking and sought assistance in the joint rescue operation conducted by the NCPCR and Mission Mukti. The NCPCR also shared the case details with CWC and DWCD (Department of Women and Child Development).  CHILDLINE was requested to coordinate with the CWC. 

The joint team of CHILDLINE, Mission Mukti and DCPO met the Sr. police Inspector at the police station to draw up a rescue plan. One senior officer and three Women Police Constables were assigned to join the rescue operation team. The team split into two groups and approached the location of the girl. After combing the area, the girl was found near the gate and taken into custody. The trafficker’s father who was also taken into custody summoned his son on to come to the Labour Camp on the phone. All of them were taken to the police station. 

The girl's statement was recorded at the police station. She revealed that the trafficker had brought her from West Bengal and married her. The CWC was informed about the girl’s rescue over the phone and as per their directions, she was admitted to the Amche Ghar, Shelter Home for girls. Then, the girl was presented before the CWC and is presently staying at the Shelter Home. The accused has been handed over to the West Bengal Police for further action.  The case is still going on.   

Child trafficking is one of the worst forms of modern-day slavery and child abuse. Each year, thousands of children are tricked, persuaded or forced to leave their homes and put their lives at risk in the worst and unimaginable ways. The victims are kept in inhuman conditions and forced into heinous and criminal activities.   

As a society, we need to come together to end this menace and safeguard the future of our children. Please call CHILDLINE 1098, if you come across a case of child trafficking.

CHILDLINE AND CYBER POLICE WORK TOGETHER ON OPERATION P-HUNT

 

A 26-year-old man was caught by the Cyber Police as part of Operation P-Hunt, a covert operation to nab people involved in child pornography. Many photos of children were recovered from his phone, and it also came to light that he was sexually abusing his niece, a young girl of 9 years. The police approached CHILDLINE Trivandrum, Kerala and requested support in counselling the child, as she was scared to talk to the police.

Upon counselling the child, CHILDLINE learnt that her uncle used to harass her when her mother and sister were not at home. He would also accompany her on the pretext of visiting the dentist and abuse her. He also went on to blackmail the child, stating that he would get caught by the police if she revealed what was happening. CHILDLINE also provided emotional support and guidance to the child and prepared her for the case proceedings.

The police also expressed their gratitude to the CHILDLINE team for their child-friendly approach and professionalism. Child pornography is one of the major detrimental side-effects of the development of digital technology. It has become a serious problem worldwide. Kerala police launched a covert surveillance operation P-hunt to curb this menace. Under this initiative, the police have arrested people involved in sharing and posting of child pornography.

Currently, Kerala police are monitoring the digital viewing and sharing of pornographic material round the clock and have reported an alarming rise of this heinous activity.