Collector, SP call for strict enforcement of child protection measures in Chittoor district

District Collector Sumit Kumar and Superintendent of Police (SP) Manikanta Chandolu on Wednesday called for the strict enforcement of child protection initiatives and welfare measures under the Mission Vatsalya, giving top priority to curbing child marriages, child labour, and abuse.

Addressing a district-level review meeting with the police, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and Medical departments, the Collector instructed the officials to identify orphaned, trafficked, children working under hard labour conditions, and bring them to a safe environment by admitting them into schools and welfare hostels.

He expressed serious concern about the 8-10 per cent of pregnancies involving minors in the district. Mr. Sumit Kumar highlighted the need for intensified sensitisation drives at all vulnerable areas to spread the message of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’.

Meanwhile, the SP instructed police officials at the mandal level to inspect welfare and residential hostels, gather feedback from children, and work with the Revenue, Medical and Health departments, ICDS and NGOs to rescue children in distress and provide them immediate aid, including education and boarding.

Mr. Manikanta Chandolu said that the society should work unitedly to condemn the incidents of sexual assault on minors. The SP said that the POCSO Act would be strictly implemented against the violators. He said that as many as 180 high-risk areas had been identified in the district, which remained vulnerable to child marriages and child abuse, and an extensive campaign against the aberrations would be started soon.

The SP said that the installation of CCTVs at government and private educational institutions was mandatory, and the minors at risk would be kept under surveillance under the Mission Trace drive.