NCPCR directive to Meghalaya on juvenile justice

Shillong, Feb 1 (PTI) The National Commission forProtection of Child�s Right (NCPCR) has directed the Meghalayagovernment to take stringent action against those violatingthe Juvenile Justice Act by exploiting children.

NCRCR registrar Vinod Sahu held a meeting with topofficials of social welfare, labour and police departmentshere yesterday to discuss issues including child labour andimplementation of the Juvenile Justice Act in Meghalaya,official sources said today.

During the meeting it was pointed out that lots ofchildren were working in the coal mines in Jaintia Hillsdistrict.

The administration has been asked to rescue thesechildren, keep them in a rehabilitation centre and later sendthem from wherever they have come, the sources said.

Before rescuing the children, the state governmentmust ensure that there were proper rehabilitation centres andeffective functioning of all the statutory bodies that dealwith child welfare programmes, Sahu said in the meeting.

The statutory bodies will appoint professionals totrack down children who have been employed in coal mines sothat they can be rescued by the police.