Hyderabad: To ensure a child-friendly world where all children are free from mistreatment, abuse and exploitation, Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), founded by Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, in collaboration with the Rachakonda Police Commissionerate, today inaugurated the State’s first ‘child-friendly’ police station at the Medipally police station.
The Inauguration Ceremony was organized by the Child-Friendly Police Station to the authorities by the BBA, witnessed by over 200 students from nearby schools. Esteemed dignitaries and personnel of the State’s Police Department, Station Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR), Child Welfare Committee (CWC). District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) and District Legal Service Authority (DLSA).
According to NCRB data, the state has witnessed a 43 percent increase in cases reported from POCSO from 2016 to 2017, while Telangana has also seen a drop in recovery rates of missing children 76.5% in 2016 to 69.3% in 2017.
As part of the Joint Initiative, BBA will also organize a training session in order to raise awareness, sensitize and inform police personnel on the guidelines laid down by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) for establishing child-friendly police stations. While highlighting the role of the police in child-related issues, the organization apprised the stakeholders on the importance of ensuring that no procedural provisions are disregarded while dealing with the distressed children.
With assistance from the BBA, the child-friendly police station was decorated with wall paintings, furnished beds, water coolers, in order to make children, visiting the police stations, comfortable and feel relaxed. In addition to this, the presence of books, toys and games in these rooms will aid in making children less anxious.
After inaugurating the station, IPS officer, Mahesh Bhagwat, Rachakonda Police Commissioner, appreciated the efforts and role of the BBA constructing the state’s first child – friendly police station.
Samir Mathur, CEO BBA, said, “We applaud this laudable initiative undertaken by the Telangana Police Department. Child-friendly police station play a vital role in ensuring that every child has the right and has proper and timely access to justice. These police stations promise a facilitating environment and also encourage higher reporting of crimes relating to children.“