SHILLONG: The state youth wing of Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) has demanded that the former Chairperson of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Meena Kharkongor be re-instated on a temporary basis if the government is unable to appoint an appropriate person to the post.
In a statement issued here, Thomas Passah said that the appointment of a present Government Official to the post of Chairperson of State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights is illegal.
He observed that the government should have extended the term of the Chairperson if it had found appropriate individuals not available, instead of appointing government official, Cara Kharkongor as Chairperson.
The KHNAM pointed out that the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act 2005 section 2 (a) clearly states that “a Chairperson who is a person of eminence and has done outstanding work for promoting the welfare of children”. In this connection, the KHNAM said that the above provision was not followed in the present appointment.
Again, section 4 of the Act also states that “Provided that the Chairperson shall be appointed on the recommendation of a three-member selection committee constituted by the Government under the Chairmanship of the Minister in-charge” which was not the case in the present appointment.
The KHNAM also objected to the present chairperson who is a government servant, as Passah pointed out that in section 7(2) (b) of the Act clearly states that no person engaged in any paid employment outside the duties of his office can be appointed as the Chairperson of the Commission. Whereas, the present appointed Chairperson is a Government servant.
Passah said that a Chairperson who is serving with multiple portfolios would not be able to spare time to follow child issue(s) which would include appearing in court, visiting juvenile homes, take cases and hearings in the office and be updated with the abuse cases.
“There are already thousands of cases pending under the POCSO Act which needs speedy attention. There are cases of crime against politician/high profile Government officials for crime against children, will the Government officials be able to deliver justice, we surely doubt”, Passah said.
He said that during the pandemic children are worst victim and maintained that special care needs are to be ensured for them.
The term of office of Kharkongor as a Chairperson of State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights was over on February 28, 2020.