Karnataka forms district-level task force to trace missing children, curb trafficking
Bengaluru: In a much-needed move to address the growing concern over child trafficking and missing children cases, the Karnataka government has constituted district-level special task forces (STFs) to trace and rescue missing and abducted children across the state.
The state has been witnessing numerous such cases, many of which remain unresolved, posing a serious violation of children's rights. The initiative is aimed at ensuring a coordinated and accountable approach to protect vulnerable children, as reported by The New Indian Express on Wednesday.
District police heads will chair the task force, which will include ten members from various departments. The District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) will serve as the member secretary.
The task forces are mandated to meet monthly to review the progress of investigations into missing and abducted children. DCPOs are required to submit mandatory reports to the Directorate of Child Protection by the end of every month, added TNIE.
The task force will summon parents of missing children during review meetings to collect any additional information that may aid investigations. It will also offer counselling, moral support, and psychological assistance to affected families.
A senior official quoted by TNIE stated that all missing cases involving children under 18 are registered as kidnapping cases. In Bengaluru alone, 800 to 1,000 cases of missing children are reported annually.
The task force will also launch and monitor special district-level campaigns in coordination with other departments to trace long-pending cases. They are also responsible for conducting awareness programmes involving self-help groups and local communities.
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Worker’s body reaches Ranchi from Saudi 4 months after death; family rejects over compensation
Ranchi (PTI): The body of a migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Giridih district killed in Saudi Arabia in October last year has arrived at Ranchi Airport, but his family refused to accept it over pending compensation, officials said.
Shikha Lakra, team leader of the state migrant control cell, told PTI that, before taking the body of Vijay Kumar Mahato, the family is demanding compensation from the private company where he used to work in the Arab country.
Mahato was killed in an alleged crossfire between the police and criminals.
“Since it was a bullet injury case, the matter is before a court in Jeddah. The final compensation may depend on the court’s decision,” Lakra said.
“The Indian Embassy informed us about the body’s arrival, and coordination was done with district authorities. Our role is limited to coordination in cases involving overseas employers and foreign jurisdiction,” she added.
Giridih Deputy Commissioner Ram Niwas Yadav said the authorities will try to convince the family to perform the last rites.
“We have already sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under the government scheme for migrant’s deaths abroad. The compensation payment might take some time,” he said.
The body is currently at the mortuary of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.
The Family members said they will only accept it if the company provides written assurance regarding compensation. “Without that assurance, we will not receive the body,” said Ram Prasad Mahato, the deceased’s brother-in-law.
Mahato, a native of Dudhpaniya village in Madh Gopali panchayat under Dumri block, was employed as a tower line fitter. His family said he was struck by a bullet during a gunfight between local police and an extortion gang and later succumbed to his injuries.
Social activist Sikander Ali said Mahato is survived by his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and elderly parents.
