NCPCR asks states to relocate missing children to their native places

NEW DELHI: Many a times, children who have gone missing are found to be living in children's homes in another state.

In many cases, the chances of these children being reunited with their parents are close to none and they spend the rest of their lives without much hope.

Taking note of the prevailing situation, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has written to the State Child Protection Society of Delhi and other states, asking them to identify children from other states languishing in their respective children's homes and hand them over to their native states so that they can be reunited with their parents.

Sources in NCPCR said that they have written to the concerned department of all states and Union Territories to check their children's homes and find out how many are from other states.

"If they (children) know about their state, do contact the other state so that there should be a chance that the missing children are reunited with their families," said an NCPCR official.

Elaborating on the process, he said that if a child from Uttar Pradesh is found residing in a children's home in Kochi, official in Kerala state should hand over the child to Uttar Pradesh officials.

Yashwant Jain, a member from NCPCR, stated that they will be holding a meeting with the stakeholders very soon to discuss rehabilitation of missing children.

"If the child returns to their state, there is a chance of tracing his or her family. Also, the minor would feel comfortable in their state's environment," said Jain.

He added that Chhattisgarh has replied to the Commission that the state has over 80 children of other states, while Punjab has over 200 such children.

"We are taking every step to trace the missing children's homes," added Jain.

According to the child rights body, it should be the responsibility of the state to take care of their children, as they have found that it is very tough for a child to stay away from their parents and home environment, often taking a psychological toll on them.