Arunachalee to serve as NCPCR watchdog in state

Itanagar, May 11 (ANI): Taking serious exception to reports of rampant violation of human rights of the girl child, particularly in the name of child marriage, a National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) team led by Chairperson Professor Shanta Sinha, has announced plans to appoint an Arunachalee to serve as a watchdog of the commission in the state.

"This could be the maiden three-day visit of the NCPCR team, including Member Dipa Dixit and Registrar B.K.Sahu, since its inception in 2007, but we have been in constant touch with the GoAP (Government of Arunachal Pradesh) as well as the civil society and NGOs, who have been filing complaints on violation of child rights," Sinha told media here yesterday.

The team, after interacting with faculty of the Rajiv Gandhi University on Thursday, has proposed to collaborate with the varsity to spread awareness about child rights at various levels in the state, protected by the Constitution.

To redress the grievances of the Chakma students who were denied admission beyond the middle school level at Dharampur, Diyun and Ratanapur, when the NCPCR took up the case with the GoAP in-charge chief secretary and education commissioner during a high level discussion Thursday, the latter assured to consider upgradation of those schools.

Moreover, the team would meet CBSE authorities at Guwahati to ensure action, Sinha informed.

She regretted that Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs), Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) and Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPUs), mandatory to be functional in each district of the country, were existing only on paper in the state, in violation of constitutional provisions.

Dixit pitched in to add that the Supreme Court in tune with Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 has directed the constitution of JJBs, CWCs and SJPUs to be coordinated by the State Legal Services Authorities with the respective child welfare department for compliance.

While taking note of non-functional or non-formation of JJBs and CWCs in many districts and cities, the apex court while disposing off a writ petition - Sampurna Behura Vs Union of India on Oct 12, 2011 - had ruled that the home department and DGPs of states and UTs to ensure creation of JJBs and CWCs and the state and UT Govts to file affidavit regarding compliance of this order under Article 21, the order said.

The team is leaving with an indelible impression about the yeoman's service being rendered by Oju Welfare Association under the leadership of Biny Maya Yanga for the distressed, suppressed, oppressed, particularly the girls, Professor Sinha said, adding Arunachal needs a Binny in every district for the girls to flourish and serve the society.

On being briefed that K/Kumey district session judge Repo Ronya in a historic verdict had banned child marriage quoting customary laws which make child marriage void on Dec 07, 1996, eight days ahead of the Parliament banning child marriage on Dec 15, 2006. The judge along with SP Hibu Tamang and gaon burahs had freed about a dozen victims from the clutches of child marriage, she sought the copy of the verdict and the statics.

On learning that Arunachalee girls from the age of 'lapiya' (wooden clamp that chains them forcefully in their in-laws' house) or Lummer Dai's monumental novel 'Kanya Mulya' (Bride price) reflecting the agonies of the young girls have revolted against the age-old tradition still in practice, she quipped, "They are our heroines and should be celebrated and taken to New Delhi for the nation to know the trendsetters".

When she insisted that lot more is needed to bring awareness to activate the civil society for facilitating the girls to become true partner of nation building, this editor highlighted as to how the Arunachal Pradesh Women Society (APWWS) has been spearheading against traditional practice of child marriage, violation of rights of girls and women and reservation for women in three-tier panchayat to involve them in decision making process. Their endeavours had resulted in enactment of Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women Act, 2002 (Act No.4 of 2002).

Visibly impressed, Professor Sinha consented that the NCPCR would issue press releases relating to rights violation issues related to the state.

On being showered with information that Indian Panel Code (IPC) is not effective in Arunachal beyond 500 mtrs radius of the office of the deputy commissioner and even the DCs refer many cases to the Gaon Burahs for disposal, hinting as the inherent defect in the Constitution that needs a serious brainstorming session for a policy decision involving the Parliament, she accepted to say the NCPCR has set up a NE Cell with the sole objective of ensuring the right of the children and their qualitative growth. By Pradeep Kumar (ANI)