Shillong, May 4: Following a horrific incident reported in Ri-Bhoi District where a newborn baby was buried alive and later rescued, HID Foundation, Shillong through its Nongpoh Unit, has submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, Ri-Bhoi District today seeking his immediate intervention as the head of the District Child Welfare and Protection Committee (DCWPC).

In the memorandum, the HID Foundation demanded for strict implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act, including safe surrender provisions under Section 35 of POCSO Act, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, and relevant provisions of BNS on child abandonment and cruelty.

The Foundation also urged the Deputy Commissioner to convene an urgent meeting of the District Child Welfare and Protection Committee to review the functioning of District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Special Juvenile Police Units (SJPUs) and Village Level Child Protection Committees, and to strengthen inter-departmental coordination.

Further, the HID Foundation called for direct district-wide sensitisation on safe surrender, legal consequences of abandonment, and training of Accreditated Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Anganwadi workers, and village authorities.

It also demanded medical care and rehabilitation of the rescued infant through DCPU.

The memorandum also asked the Deputy Commissioner to see action-taken reports from line departments on child protection gaps and to regularly monitor any instances of violation.

“The safety of children is a collective responsibility and the leadership of the Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of the District Child Welfare and Protection Committee is vital to making Ri-Bhoi a model district for child safety,” said Soniland Malai, Executive Coordinator, HID Foundation, Nongpoh Unit.

Malai said that HID Foundation is ready to extend full cooperation to the district administration for any collaborative efforts.