By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Head of Department, Social Work, St Edmund’s College, Farida Warjri has expressed concern over the non- availability of counselling and rehabilitation centres for juvenile delinquents in the State.
“Everyone is aware that there are street children who sniff dendrite and other chemicals and are addicted to these substances But there is no centre for rehabilitating and counselling these children so they can come out of this problem,” Warjri said while speaking on the theme, ‘Role of Media and Issues Concerning Welfare of Children in the State’ at a one-day workshop for media persons on ‘National Initiative for Child Protection’ here on Tuesday.
Warjri pointed out that at present counselling and rehabilitation centres in the State cater only to those above 18 years of age.
“I strongly appeal to the State Government and concerned NGOs to set up counselling and rehabilitations centres for the under-18 age group.
These street children are vulnerable members of society and require the support of each and every member of the society,” Warjri said.
While stressing the need for media to play a more pro-active role to highlight the issues affecting these children, Warjri said that media persons have so far failed to do justice to this issue.
Childline coordinator Iba Synrem, meanwhile informed that she has been receiving roughly about 25 to 28 cases every month relating to children in need of care and protection.
“The number of cases received by Childline varies from month to month,” Synrem said during the one-day workshop.
Replying to a query, she said that people who come across street children in need of care and protection would have to produce them before the Children Welfare Committee (CWC) within a period of 24 hours.
“We cannot put a child into any orphanage without the approval of the CWC,” she said.
Synrem also informed that children who are still considered as juveniles should not be put inside a lock-up or be handcuffed. ‘Sadly this directive is not followed in the State. We have seen children in police lock- ups or being handcuffed, which is totally against the rule of law,” Synrem said.
