PANJIM: The Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) has accused the police of not cooperating with the rescue operation of ‘vulnerable children’ found loitering at the ongoing Shree Dev Bodgeshwar Fair in Mapusa.
Commission Chairperson Sushma Mandrekar Chodankar has informed the authorities of the pitiful situation of the Goa Police while also seeking immediate intervention to rescue the children. In a letter to Devasathan Committee of Shree Dev Bodgeshwar Saunsthan with a copy of the Director General of Police and the North District Superintendent of Police, Mandrekar has apprehended the unattended children might be subjected to cruelty if the negligent attitude of the authorities continues.
“There are around 50 or more children who were vulnerable in the fair as they were not properly dressed, shabby, had not taken bath for many days, did not have food and were in unhygienic condition. They were loitering in and around the fare without having proper parental support and control, were selling articles, balloons, etc in the far and some of them were performing acrobat play. Some were also used for begging. These children may also be forced into illegal activities or may be kidnapped from other states and used for such illegal activities” she stated in the letter that is supported by photographic evidence.
She further revealed the commission and 1098 Childline team members brought it to the notice of the police requesting to rescue and lodge them in Apna Ghar. “The police were reluctant and started giving excuses which showed they are not willing to cooperate with us. We then approached the Mapusa police inspector who assured to cooperate in our mission and direct his staff to do the needful. In spite of all our efforts we are not finding proper cooperation from the police. We fear untoward incident which may malign the image of the far or Goa,” she added also assuring to support and protect the children.
