DCPCR to prepare new action plan to tackle missing children

New Delhi: The Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) will be preparing a new action plan to tackle the menace of missing children. According to child rights body, children at the age group of 5-10 years will be taught through the pictorial form to stay away from the strangers who approach and offers a ride or treats (like candy or toys).

"The kids will be shown various pictures related to how strangers lure children. Further, we can also use documentaries for missing children awareness campaign," DCPCR official said. Ramesh Negi, chairperson DCPCR said," FM channel will be used for popularising missing children helpline number. Our Bal Suraksha Mitra will also be strengthened." On Tuesday, there was a meeting between various stakeholders including lawyers, NGOs related to missing children issue.

According to the official, elopement is believed to be one of the major reasons for children going missing. The action plan will also focus on the children aged 14-17 years. "Children will be aware of the danger of elopement," said DCPCR official.

The child right body had also identified areas of 50 police stations from where the cases of missing children being regularly reported. The vulnerable areas include Gandhi Nagar, Malviya Nagar, Jamia Nagar, Burari, Chhawla, Najafgadh, Okhla, Sonia Vihar, New Usmanpur, Punjabi Bagh from where cases of missing children are regularly reported.

Samrah Mirza, member DCPCR said that there Bal Suraksha Mitra (volunteers) are helping child rights body in controlling the problem of missing children in vulnerable areas.

According to the DCPCR, they analysised the missing data from the year 2008 to 2017 and found that an increasing number of children went missing from peripheral districts of Delhi which include Outer, North East, South East, West and South West.