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 reinstated on a temporary basis if the government is unable to appoint a person fit for the post.
In a statement issued here, youth wing president Thomas Passah, said that the appointment of a government official to the post is illegal.
It may be mentioned that Social Welfare Minister Kyrmen Shylla had said that the department did not reappoint Kharkongor as she has been the chairperson for two consecutive terms.
He observed that the government should have extended the term of the Chairperson if it felt that fitting candidates were not available, instead of appointing a government official — Cara Kharkongor.
The KHNAM pointed out that the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act 2005 Section 2 (a) clearly states that the Chairperson should be “a person of eminence and has done outstanding work for promoting the welfare of children”.
In this connection, the KHNAM said that the provision was not followed in the appointment.
Again, section 4 of the Act also states 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 also not the case.
The KHNAM also objected to the present Chairperson, who is a government servant, as Passah pointed out that 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.
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 on abuse cases.
“There are already thousands of cases pending under the POCSO Act which need 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 the worst victims and maintained that special care needs to be ensured for them.
The term of Meena Kharkongor’s office as the Chairperson was over on February 28.