Rae Bareli: The Rae Bareli district administration has intensified its efforts to strengthen child protection mechanisms, with senior police officials issuing comprehensive directions for the effective implementation of campaigns against human trafficking, child labour, child marriage and substance abuse during the monthly review meeting of the Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) and the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU).
The review meeting was held at Kiran Hall in the Superintendent of Police’s office complex and was chaired by Additional Superintendent of Police Alok Kumar. Officials assessed the progress of several ongoing initiatives, including Operation Raksha, anti-child labour drives, campaigns against child begging, de-addiction programmes and efforts to prevent child marriage.
Addressing the meeting, the Additional SP directed Child Welfare Officers and women police personnel posted across all police stations to conduct awareness campaigns in a time-bound manner. They were instructed to work in close coordination with relevant departments and regularly submit photographs and videos documenting campaign activities to ensure proper monitoring.
A key focus of the meeting was the identification, protection and rehabilitation of vulnerable children, women and persons with disabilities affected by child labour, child begging or substance abuse. Officials were directed to prepare a comprehensive database of such individuals to facilitate timely intervention, rehabilitation and welfare support.
The meeting also emphasised strict enforcement of child rights in educational and residential institutions, including gurukuls, ashrams, temples, schools and madrasas. Officers were instructed to immediately investigate complaints involving sexual, physical or emotional abuse of children, or any violation of child rights, and to initiate legal proceedings wherever required. Child Welfare Officers at the police station level were made responsible for ensuring the safety, protection and rehabilitation of affected children.
Special emphasis was placed on enforcing the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, particularly Sections 77 and 78, which deal with offences involving the administration of intoxicating substances to minors. The Additional SP directed officers to take stringent action against offenders and ensure that children in conflict with the law or in need of care and protection are produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) with all prescribed legal documentation within the stipulated time.
The review meeting was attended by Meenu Srivastava, Member of the Juvenile Justice Board; Milind Dwivedi, Member of the Child Welfare Committee and First Class Judicial Magistrate; Assistant Prosecution Officer; Labour Enforcement Officer Shiv Shankar Pal; Legal Counsellor Pragya Tripathi; Child Protection Officer Virendra Pal; Aastha Jyoti from the One Stop Centre; Inspector Pratap Singh, Station House Officer of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit; women police personnel Sangeeta Mishra and Titu Gautam; Drug Inspector Arvind Kumar; Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Sadanand; Dr Priyanka; support personnel and Child Welfare Officers from across the district.
Officials reiterated that coordinated action among police, child welfare agencies and allied departments remains essential to preventing child exploitation and ensuring the protection, rehabilitation and well-being of vulnerable children across Rae Bareli.
