ICPS Report

R E P O RT O N T H E I M P L E M E N T A T I O N O F I N T EG RA T E D C H I L D P R OT EC T I O N SC H E M E I N M EG H A LAYA

S T A T E C H I L D PR OT EC T I O N SO C I E T Y

directorate of Social Welfare Government of Meghalaya

Lower Lachumiere, Shillong – 793001

R E P O RT O N T H E I M P L E M E N T A T I O N O F I N T EG RA T E D C H I L D PR OT EC T I O N S C H E M E I N M EG H A LAYA

S T A T E C H I L D PR OT EC T I O N SO C I E T Y

Children of Meghalaya...

THE BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL, THEIR DREAMS. . .

Like every adult, children also have their basic rights. With more than a third of its population below the age of 18, India has the largest child population in the world. This backgrounder explores the levels of health, nutrition, education and social security of children, government policy and action on child rights.

In the rights-based approach, children are viewed as citizens, entitled to all that has been promised to them under the Constitution of India and the United Nations Child Rights Charter, rather than as objects of sympathy or charity.

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Report On The I mplementation Of Integrated Child Protection Scheme in Meghalaya

Report On The I mplementation Of Integrated Child Protection Scheme in Meghalaya

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Childcare as a Social Responsibilit y (SAFETY & SECURITY) ICPS is the only major national programme that addresses the needs of children in need of care and protection and children in conflict with law under 18 of age. It seeks to provide children with an integrated package of services like Child Welfare Committees, Juvenile Justice Boards and Special Juvenile Police Unit. Because the needs of a child cannot be addressed in isolation, the programme also extends to families, institutions, society, NGOs, Government as social responsibility to look after the safety and security of the children relating to child abuse, destitute, child vendors, street children, orphans, children in conflict with law/ children in contact with the law.

The Meghalaya State Child Protection Society was registered under Meghalaya Societies Registration Act 12 of 1983 on 16th November 2011. The coverage of ICPS has steadily expanded since its inception in 2012 in the State under the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Meghalaya and has set up the State Child Protection Society with Programme Manager and supporting Staff. State Adoption Resource Agency was set up at the State Level to monitor the adoption process. The District Child Protection Unit is functioning in all the eleven districts and managed by Officers and staffs.

The Child Welfare Committee has been constituted in all the eleven districts with Chairperson and members. The committee act as the competent authority to deal with children who are in need of care and protection. It provides for their care, protection, treatment, development and rehabilitation as well as to provide the basic need and protection of child rights. The Child Welfare Committee is the final authority for exercising the powers and discharging duties in relation to children in need of care and protection under the Juvenile Justice Act. 6

Report On The I mplementation Of Integrated Child Protection Scheme in Meghalaya

STATUS REPORT ON THE FUNCTIONING OF CHILD WELFARE COMMITTEE IN MEGHALAYA ENDING QUARTER DECEMBER 2015 CONSTITUTION OF CWCs

TRAINING OF CWCs MEMBERS

No. of CWCs

No. of CWC Members

Yes/No

11

55

Yes

If yes, No. of CNCP numbers cases

40

DISPOSAL OF CASES

SITTING OF CWCs DURING THE QUARTER

Cases pending as on last day of the Quarter

Numbers

Numbers

105

121

98

PENDENCY OF CASES

226

The Juvenile Justice Board has been notified in all the eleven districts which comprises of a Principal Magistrate and members. The board is the final authority which deals exclusively with all the proceedings relating to children who are in conflict with law and also conducts inquiries against children who are alleged to have committed an offence. The procedure for dealing with child in conflict with law by the Board is child friendly and rehabilitation oriented and not adversarial.

STATUS REPORT ON THE FUNCTIONING OF JUVENILE JUSTICE BOARD IN MEGHALAYA ENDING QUARTER DECEMBER 2015 CONSTITUTION OF JJB s

Training of JJB s Members

Pendency of cases

No. Of JJB

No. Of JJB Members

Yes/No

If yes, numbers

No. of CCL cases

Cases pending as on last day of the Quarter

11

33

Yes

15

258

185

Report On The I mplementation Of Integrated Child Protection Scheme in Meghalaya

DISPOSAL OF CASES

SITTING OF JJBs DURING THE QUARTER

Numbers

Numbers

73

77

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UNIVERSALISATION WITH QUALITY The basic premise of the demand for universalisation of ICPS is that all children have the right to Survival, right to Protection, right to Participation, right to Development and related opportunities. Services under ICPS include rehabilitation for children in need of care and protection & children in conflict with law. The scheme provides rehabilitation like Open Shelter, Non- Institutional Care (Adoption, Sponsorship, Foster- care, After –care, Cradle Baby Reception Centres), Institutional Services (Shelter Home, Children Home, and referral services). These services are provided through a vast network of ICPS mechanisms i.e. State Child Protection Unit, State Adoption Resource Agency and District Child Protection Unit. These units assist and monitor the child care institutions who work for children who are in need of care and protection and children who are in conflict with law.

In Meghalaya, the scheme is operational in every District with Shelter Homes, Children’s Home, Observation Homes run by the Government and the Non-Government Organisation (NGO). However, the effective coverage of ICPS is through collaboration with other line departments in connection with Children in need of care and protection and children in conflict with law/ contact with law & NGOs working for children, registered under Juvenile Justice Act, 2000.

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Report On The I mplementation Of Integrated Child Protection Scheme in Meghalaya

Report On The I mplementation Of Integrated Child Protection Scheme in Meghalaya

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Registration of Child Care Institutions under Juvenile Justice Act DISTRICT

NUMBER OF CCIs Government Run Homes

NGO Run Homes

Total

East Khasi Hills

5

15

20

West Khasi Hills

2

3

5

South West Khasi Hills

Nil

2

2

West Jaintia Hills

2

2

4

East Jaintia Hills

2

Nil

2

Ri Bhoi

2

4

6

East Garo Hills

2

9

11

West Garo Hills

3

8

11

North Garo Hills

2

6

8

South Garo Hills

2

2

4

South West Garo Hills

2

2

4

TOTAL

24

53

77

Children as Citizens The government’s responses to child rights have recently been erected through Integrated Child Protection Scheme in all districts throughout the State -- where children are looked at as passive recipients, and the State as the benevolent giver.

Children of CCIs taking part in Republic Day Celebration at Polo Ground, 26th January 2013. (Picture 1)

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Report On The I mplementation Of Integrated Child Protection Scheme in Meghalaya

Children of CCIs taking part in Republic Day Celebration at Polo Ground, 26th January 2013. (Picture 2)

Success Stories There are cases of abandoned babies which are alarming in the society. Problem of abandoned babies is becoming more serious.

This case causes concern for all stakeholders working for protection of children. Many cases have been reported on abandoned newborn babies where the baby normally discarded on garbage, public toilets, in the rivers and so on.

Solution to this problem needs to be done smoothly, so that it cannot continue to spread and become more serious.

Due to severe abandonment of babies, the State Government has set up the Specialized Adoption Agencies in East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills under the Scheme to look into the matter relating to adoption for the surrendered and abandoned babies.

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Cases of abandoned babies: Pre and Post Adoption Cases 1. One newborn baby boy was found abandoned from the desolate forest of Upper Shillong.

RESULT: Placing the baby at the Specialized Adoption Agency (SAA) for adoption. Since no claimant of the baby was made within 60 days. The baby was handed over to the Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPS) who got the approval for adoption following the declaration of the Child Welfare Committee and are now part of the loving family.

2. Another baby girl who was born out of the wedlock was safely surrendered by her own biological mother and placed under the protective custody of Missionary of Charity, Laitumkhrah Shillong.

RESULT: Handed over to the Specialized Adoption Agency and the baby was declared legally free for adoption. The baby was placed with families approved for adoption following the declaration of the Child Welfare Committee and are now part of the loving family.

3. A newborn infant baby boy was found abandoned inside a carry bag left in the garage at Harisava, Laban.

RESULT: The child was shilfted to Lawei Baphyrnai SAA, Mawklot Shillong for temporary placement to be given for adoption.

4. A newborn infant baby girl was also found abandoned at Wahkdait, Nongmynsong.

RESULT: The baby was declared legally free for adoption by the Child Welfare Committee, the baby was therefore, shifted to Specialised Adoption Agency at Mawklot, Shillong to be placed for adoption. At present, the baby is now in the loving family adopted by the Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPS).

5. A newborn baby boy was abandoned in an unused public toilet at Lower Babupara, Tura.

RESULT: The baby was shifted to the Specialised Adoption Agency at Mawklot, Shillong to be placed for adoption. At present, the baby has been adopted and under the care and protection of the Prospective Adoptive Parents in Shillong.

6. A newborn baby girl was found abandoned inside a carry bag on the roadside at Diringgre locality near Dakopgre in Tura.

RESULT: The baby was brought and kept at Lawei Baphyrnai SAA Mawklot, Shillong by the officials of District Child Protection Unit Tura for necessary intervention and for placing the baby for adoption.

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Report On The I mplementation Of Integrated Child Protection Scheme in Meghalaya

Specialized Adoption Agency, Shillong Another step of the Government to curb the problems of abandoned babies being dumped by their biological parents in a pathetic manner is by keeping Cradle Baby Reception Centres at all District Child Protection Units of the districts as well as in the office of the District Child Protection Unit, Specialised Adoption Agencies, Hospitals, Community Health Centres, Public Health Centres. The installation of the cradle points / baby reception centre under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme is required to save the lives of the children.

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INSTALLATION OF CRADLE POINTS

Baby Cradle Reception Centre Inaugurated at Public Health Centre, East Jaintia Hills

Inaugurated by the Chief Secretary, Shri. Barkos Warjri at Specialized Adoption Agency, Life Light Focus, Nongstoin, West Khasi Hills

Baby Cradle Reception Centre inaugurated at Public Health Centre, Jaintia Hills

CHILD LABOUR As per section of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, no child shall be employed or permitted to work in any occupation and as per section 14 of the Act, anyone found employing a child below the age of 14 shall be punished with imprisonment which shall not be less than 3 months but which may be extended to one year or with fine which shall be not less than Rs10,000 but which may be extended to Rs 20,000 or with both.

1. The Deputy Labour Commissioner along with the District Child Protection Unit conducted a raid at some restaurants. One Child detected working in a restaurant in New Nongstoin. A complaint against the offending employer has been lodged in the court of the District Magistrate and the child was rescued and produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) Nongstoin for restoration and rehabilitation. Other child who was also rescued working in unwanted condition was admitted in schools.

Since the children are from low economic class, these children were given with Sponsorship Programme under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme to continue their education.

2. Child Protection is about protecting children from any risk to their life. Every child deserved to receive the basic necessities in life, but it often seen that children are 14

Report On The I mplementation Of Integrated Child Protection Scheme in Meghalaya

Report On The I mplementation Of Integrated Child Protection Scheme in Meghalaya

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deprived of their rights by abusing them or engaged to work in hazardous and non-hazardous activities. The initiative taken by the District Child Protection Unit, Ri Bhoi District in collaboration with the Task Force and Extra Assistant Commissioner of the district conducted a raid on 25th July, 2013 to rescue two minor boys employed in hazardous and non hazardous works. One of the boys rescued hailed from Barpeta District of Assam who worked as a helper in a hotel to earn his living. The boy was brought to Shillong temporarily kept in Rilang Shelter Home, Shillong and later sent back to his parents following the order received from the Child Welfare Committee. The other boy rescued is a local resident of Nongpoh and found engaged in an automobile workshop. During investigation conducted by the social worker and outreach worker, it was learned that due to some differences with his mother, the boy dropped out from school.

His father therefore, in a bid to prevent him from falling into bad elements requested the proprietor of the workshop to employ him in his workshop so that the boy will engage himself with the work. As a follow up action, the social worker and outreach worker provided counseling to the parents of the above children making them aware that seeking employment for their minor son in such hazardous and non-hazardous activity amounts to violation of child rights under Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act 1986 and shall be punishable with imprisonment which shall not be less than 3 months or may extend to 1 year with fine which shall not be less than Rs. 10000 but which may extend to Rs. 20000 or with both. Subsequently, both the boys were admitted back in schools and are now pursuing their normal studies.

3. During the month of September, 2015 a raid on Child Labour was conducted jointly by the District ChildProtection Unit and Labour Department at the newly constructed building at Baghmara. During the raid, one migrant child labour was detected for involving in dangerous works. The child was then produced before the CWC, Baghmara and provided him with temporary Shelter. The District Child Protection Unit later repatriated the boy back to his place in Singimari at Assam.

4. Another two cases of migrant child labourers who hailed from the district of Nerihona,Bangladesh was apprehended by Baghmara Police .They were produced to the office of the District Child Protection Unit. On this matter,the District Child Protection Unit necessary action and within a week ,these boys were repatriated back to their hometown with the help of Police and Border Force officials from Baghmara.

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Report On The I mplementation Of Integrated Child Protection Scheme in Meghalaya

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RESTORATION AND REHABILITATION 1. Inspection at Holy Heart Orphanage, Ri Bhoi On April 25th 2014, a team of officials from the District Child Protection Unit of Ri-Bhoi District along with the Child Welfare Committee member of Social Welfare department accompanied the Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement Women Wings Central Body (HANM) conducted an inspection at Holy Heart Orphanage in Jorbil at Killing of Ri-Bhoi District after the telephonic conversation on 24th April with the HANM wing stated on the condition of the Home. During the inspection conducted, it was found out that the home was in a pathetic condition and not at all advisable for children to stay. The food provided to the children residing in the home was unbalanced diet lacking in nutritional value. It was painful to see that a pot of rice was under attack of house flies. The child sleeps in a disarrayed condition and no access to proper medical facilities was given as per required. The orphanage was set up by one woman named Holy Jarin since 1998 and housed 32 children between the age group of 8- 14 years and 8 of them are girls .The District Child Protection Unit stated that the Orphange has registered itself only under the Society Registration Act but not under the Juvenile Justice Care and Protection Act 2000.The children was temporarily brought to Shillong and placed at William Lewis Boys Home located in Mawphlang.

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Report On The I mplementation Of Integrated Child Protection Scheme in Meghalaya

After few months, the children were repatriated back to the family members in their respective district and admitted in Schools.

2. The children lost their mother in an incident that happened on 3rd June,2014 when an armed militants belonging to the GNLA outfit shot dead their mother in the presence of her children and husband at her tea stall cum house in Raja Rongggat,Chokpot,Baghmara. These siblings were rescued by the District Child Protection Unit,Tura and placed them in registered home and provided them with all the necessary requirements under the scheme( ICPS).

3. In another case, one mentally retarded girl aged 16 years who hailed from Baghmara was found loitering around in the village highway at Uttar Pradesh which was based at Nari Nikitan Ayodhya,Faizabad.The girl was rescued by the District Child Protection Unit officials and Police of Garo Hills. She was temporarily kept at civil hospital for few days for her medical examination .Later, the District Child Protection Unit shifted her to Medical and Health Association and Neuro Sciences, Shillong. The girl stayed there for few months for her necessary treatment. At present, she has been restored and rehabilitated back with her family in Baghmara.

REPATRIATION On July 9th 2015, the officials from the District Child Protection Unit along with the District Police rescued six(6)children who were performing in a mini circus at Nongpoh in contravention to the Juvenile Justice Act. On 9th July 2015 the District Child Protection Unit received a phone call informing her of a mini circus performed by three children at Nongpoh proper .On reaching the spot where the circus was being held, the District Child Protection officer and social workers found that the Children were performing dangerous acts. Instantly, the District Child Protection officer informed the Nongpoh Police Station .It was only when the Police reached the spot that the lady claimed to be the mother of these children and who also claimed to have permission to perform in the circus. The children were also taken to the police station. There was also another group of children consisting of two boys and one girl performing near Bethany Hospital. The documents produced by the mother showed applications for permission to perform circus at various places like Gangtok, Darjeeling, Bhutan, Nepal etc was found to be involved since they were from 2014.The District Child Protection Officer Report On The I mplementation Of Integrated Child Protection Scheme in Meghalaya

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immediately informed the Child Welfare Committee of the district about the children and arrangements was made to accomodate them at Government Children’s Home for Boys and Girls ,while the woman was taken to Missionaries of Charity, Nongpoh.

This group of people originally hails from Uttar Pradesh,.However, since they move around performing circus, they have been staying in Nepal for the last 12 years, but the aftermath of the earthquake forced them to leave Nepal and approach this side of the country to earn their living.

CHILD TRAFFICKING One girl child of 14 years of age was trafficked by her own brother-in- law to Assam who left her alone at the railway station to be picked up by another pimps from the railway station itself. The girl was later rescued by the Assam police who then informed the Child Welfare Committee of that particular area and after all the necessary action taken, the girl was restored and repatriated back to her hometown at Singimari Wawalgre, Tura with the help of the District Child Protection Unit, Tura.

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Report On The I mplementation Of Integrated Child Protection Scheme in Meghalaya

In another incident, the District Child Protection Unit, Tura along with the Police Department brought back seven children from Guwahati who was being trafficked to Goa. The children were lured by certain group of people on the promises of offering jobs to them. But unfortunately, they were instead taken to Pune. The children were left alone without prior information and their original documents were taken away with the traffickers who denied returning back to them. The children then reported the matter to the police station. The police informed the NGOs who recognized the children and send them back to Garo Hills by rail. They were picked up from Guwahati and the District Child Protection Unit of Tura was able to restore and repatriated them back to their hometown.

STATUS OF FAMILY BASED NON-INSTITUTIONAL CARE ADOPTION

FOSTER CARE

SPONSORSHIP

AFTER CARE PROGRAMME

SPECIALISED ADOPTION AGENCY East Khasi Hills

1

West Khasi Hills

1

South West Khasi Hills

1

TOTAL

3

Baby Cradle Reception Centre

72

3 After Care Home 11

860

(1- West Khasi Hills 2- East Khasi Hills)

STATUS OF ADOPTION IN MEGHALAYA STATUS OF ADOPTION

GIRLS

BOYS

TOTAL

Total number of Adoption completed

9

5

14

Children declared legally free

2

5

7

Children in Pre-Adoptive Foster Care

2

1

3

Children under reclaim period

0

1

1

PAPs registered online in CARINGS

16

EMERGENCY OUTREACH SERVICES SERVICES

NUMBERS

DISTRICT

CHILDLINE

5

East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, Ri Bhoi & West Garo Hills

OPEN SHELTER

3

East Khasi Hills

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ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES (STATE /DISTRICT LEVEL)

TOPIC/AREA/CASE

TARGET GROUP/OUTCOME

TRAINING PROGRAMME

ICPS, JJ Act, POCSO Act, Child related issues, Track Child

ICPS Functionaries, Police personnel, Stakeholders at the State & district level

AWARENESS PROGRAMME

ICPS, Child Rights, Child Labour, CHILDLINE,

Local Headmen, Community leaders, School teachers & students, Public

TABLEAU PRESENTATION DURING REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATION AT ICPS SHILLONG

Public

HEALTH CAMP

Medical Check up

Street Children

LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION PROGRAMME

Personal Qualities, Self –Esteem, Positive Outlook & Interactive session

Child Care Institutions (Govt. run & NGO Run)

POSTER CAMPAIGN

Girl Child

School students

STREET PLAY/ROLE PLAY

Adoption, Girl Education

Public

IN –HOUSE TRAINING

Minimum Standard of Care in Child Care Institutions

Child Care Institutions (Govt. run & NGO Run)

PANEL DISCUSSION

ICPS, JJ Act, POCSO Act, Child Abuse.

Members of School Management Committee

REHABILITATION

Rescued children from two unregistered CCIs, Ri Bhoi District

- Restored to families

RESTORATION

Abandoned and surrendered babies

-Restored back to their families

TALENT SHOW

Debate, Extempore speech, Singing, Dancing

Child Care Institutions

SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT

Best Student’s Award

Children from CCIs were given an award for all round performance

DRAWING/PAINTING COMPETITION IN OPEN DAY SHELTER

Display in local newspaper

Children of Open day shelter were awarded with prizes

PRE- CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION Theme “ Christmas, My Child, is CUM GET TOGETHER IN SHILLONG Love in Action” AND TURA INSTALLATION OF CRADLE POINTS

DCPUs and Health Centres

PUBLIC AWARENESS THROUGH MEDIA

Talk Show, Advertisement on the provisions of JJ Act in Print & Electronic Media

REHABILITATION & SOCIAL REINTEGRATION

ADOPTION CASE

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Rescued Child Labour from restaurants, dhabas, factories etc

-Referred to another registered CCIs

-Regular Home Visits & Counselling

( Govt. run & NGO Run )

-Children of all Child Care Institutions ( Govt. run & NGO Run ) -Award for Meritorious and Most Disciplined Child

-Enrolment in schools

Rescued children from trafficking

-Repatriated and restored back to their families

Rescued abandoned babies found at forest, near the river, garage, roadside.

-Declared legally free for adoption and no claimant came forward after publicity given in newspaper.

Report On The I mplementation Of Integrated Child Protection Scheme in Meghalaya

PICTURES AT A GLANCE

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Report On The I mplementation Of Integrated Child Protection Scheme in Meghalaya

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PICTURES AT A GLANCE

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PICTURES AT A GLANCE

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Report On The I mplementation Of Integrated Child Protection Scheme in Meghalaya

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PICTURES AT A GLANCE

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Report On The I mplementation Of Integrated Child Protection Scheme in Meghalaya

Hopkinson Road, Lower lachumiere, Shillong - 793001 email: scps.shillong@gmail.com Phone Number: 0364-2501414 / 2501421 36

Report On The I mplementation Of Integrated Child Protection Scheme in Meghalaya

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