MARGAO: Expressing concern over the rape and murder of a five-year-old girl in Vasco, the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) has highlighted the negligence in enforcing prevailing laws, systemic failures and bureaucratic indifference and has demanded stricter proactive measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Stating that it is in touch with the South Goa Superintendent of Police (SP), the GSCPR said that it is tracking the case and will call for a detailed report later.
The GSCPCR further stated that it will visit the parents of the deceased child soon and in a statement issued on Saturday, the commission offered its sympathies to the bereaved family and questioned how the systems in place are still leaving children so vulnerable to such risks.
“Here, in this case, the Buildings and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996, Section 35, which mandates crèche facilities for the children of construction workers, is systematically ignored, showcasing a chronic lack of enforcement and accountability from those in power,” said Peter F Borges, GSCPCR chairperson.
He lamented that yet again, another horrific tragedy has risen and this time a five-year-old child was sexually abused and murdered at a construction site.
“While we extend our deepest sympathies to the devastated family, we must also confront the unacceptable truth: these incidents are not mere anomalies, but glaring symptoms of a profoundly defective system,” said Borges
“Just two months ago, we were shaken by the attempted murder of another five-year-old girl in a similarly negligent environment at Sattari. These are not isolated incidents but a damning reflection of a deeply flawed and indifferent child protection system, crippled by governmental neglect and outright disregard,” said Borges.
He feared that this case risks becoming yet another tragedy that will soon be forgotten due to what he claimed was the deep-seated indifference of the bureaucrats.
“The ongoing failures within the child protection system can be directly linked to the persistent weaknesses exhibited by key figures in leadership positions, including the Chief Secretary, Director and the Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department. The system has not only seen stagnation but also a noticeable deterioration in the effectiveness of child protection measures. Over the decade, essential initiatives and safeguards that could have prevented tragedies like the recent one have been grossly neglected,” said Borges.
“This neglect has left several critical measures in dire condition, unimplemented, and underfunded. The lack of foresight and commitment from these bureaucrats has resulted in a frail framework incapable of protecting the most vulnerable. The situation is aggravated by a bureaucracy that operates more on routine than on responsive and preventative action,” the chairperson added.
