Child Rights Commission holds awareness program in Tingvong

GANGTOK, 27 Dec: An awareness program was organized by the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights [SCPCR] on 26 December for women and children in the Lepcha Community dominated area of Tingvong, Upper Dzongu where a large number of Lepcha women, girls, boys, children and ICDS children and Aganwadi workers and helpers were gathered.
A press release informs that the Chairperson, Manita Pradhan, in her address, briefed the gathering on the functions of the SCPCR and highlighted the various beneficial and welfare programs and schemes of the SDF Government for the development of women, children and students of Sikkim. The proper health and education of women and children especially girls is top priority for the state government, she said.
Ms Pradhan highlighted on the Chief Minister Meritorious Scholarship program where she stated that it is a scheme unique to Sikkim. She urged the Zilla Panchayat member and Panchayat President and Secretary of the GPU to ensure that the proper implementation of Mukhya Mantri Janani Suraksha Yojna. Under the scheme, a mother above 19 years gets a one-time grant of Rs. 3,000 and the newborn baby gets Rs. 600 per month till the completion of 6 years and for the second delivery if the new born is a girl then the second child will also get Rs. 600 per month, it is mentioned.
The Chairperson added that there are many other such beneficial schemes for women, girls and children initiated by the government, the information and knowledge of which has to be disseminated to the target group by the local Panchayat members. The Commission was pleased to be informed that the ANM posted at Tingvong PHC is capable of handling child delivery cases at the PHC, the release mentions.
During the programme, Aganwadi workers placed some demands which the Commission assured to forward to the respective department for necessary action. Aganwadi workers and helpers of Kussong, Namprik, Mangkong, Payal, Tingvong, Lingkoo, Sibim and Nung were also present in the program.
Adhyaksha North Zilla Panchayat, Anguli Lepcha, Police Inspector [Mangan], Parshuram Sharma, members of SCPCR, Rehana Lama, Yangchen Ladingpa and Nim Choki Bhutia, also addressed the gathering.

Child Rights Commission holds consultative programme in West Sikkim

GANGTOK, 25 Nov: “Police personnel are the arms of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights [SCPCR]  while the support of NGOs, officials of the line departments like HRDD, Health, Labour, SJE&WD and every citizen also plays an important role in ensuring the safety and protection of the children of Sikkim,” said Chairperson, SCPCR, Manita Pradhan, in a consultative programme held at the Gram Vikas Kendra of Chongrang under Yuksam Tashiding Constituency on 21 November, informs a press release.
She highlighted the powers and functions of SCPCR which has got quasi-judicial powers and can issue summons and examine cases of crime against children. The Commission has been set up as per the notification of the Government of Sikkim as a nodal body to monitor RTE upto the elementary level, she informed.
She also highlighted the various schemes initiated by the SDF government to enhance the welfare and well-being of children. She urged all present in the programme to monitor the proper implementation of such welfare schemes at the grass-root level so that the target group gets the benefits.
The programme was also addressed by SDPO-Gyalshing, Sonam Doma Bhutia who highlighted the laws for Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, [POCSO], Juvenile Justice Act [2000].
Gram Vikas Adhikari Chongrang, Ugel Kishore Pradhan and Member Zilla Panchayat, Chongrang-Gangyap, Nim Lhamu Bhutia, Commission Members Yangchen Ladingpa, Karma Chuki Bhutia and Nim Choki Bhutia also addressed the programme.
Also present were PI Gyalshing Nakul Pradhan, other police personnel, MO Tashiding, Dr. Prabhat Kumar Rai, teachers, ASHA, Aganwadi Workers, Panchayat Members and local people.
The Commission visited Eklavya Model Residential School at Gangyap, Tashiding. Certain problems regarding hostel and infrastructure were reported for which the Commission will take follow-up action with Principal Secretary, SJE&WD, the release mentions.
On 22 November, the Commission also attended a program on social auditing at Gram Prashashan Kendra Chongrang-Arithang where the Chairperson also addressed the gathering. She highlighted the functions of SCPCR and urged the gathering to monitor all the welfare and beneficiary schemes meant for women and children initiated by SDF Government.
The Chairperson also interacted with the Principal, Phurba T Tsechutharpa who urged the Commission to address certain teething problems faced by the school, the release adds.

State Child Rights Commission urges police to expedite justice in Pakyong rape case

GANGTOK, 07 Jan: The Sikkim State Commission for Protection of Child Rights [SCPCR] has expressed that it is deeply moved and saddened by the two tragic incidents that occurred in Pakyong recently -the gang rape of a minor and the death of a woman and her newborn in an unassisted delivery.
A press release issued by the Commission informs that it has urged the police authority of Pakyong Sub-division to expedite the investigation process to nab the culprit in the case of the death of the 25-year-old woman and her new born child.
The Chairperson, Manita Pradhan, alongwith members Yangchen Ladingpa, Nim Choki Bhutia and Law Officer Yousa Lachenpa visited Namphey basti and met the bereaved family of the 25-year-old woman and also met the SDPO Pakyong, Ajay Rai and his sub-ordinates at the Pakyong Police Station on 05 January.
The Commission held a thorough discussion with the police officials regarding the case and urged them not to keep a single stone unturned to nab the culprit, the release mentions. Chairperson Ms Pradhan expressed that the Commission has full faith and confidence in the functioning of the Sikkim Police and that they will nab the culprit soon. She urged the police to intimate the SCPCR as soon as any FIR related to crimes against women and children is filed in any police station so that the Commission can act accordingly.
In the rape case, the release mentions that the Commission has met the victim and her mother and assured them that the police is doing everything possible to deliver justice to the victim and her family. The Chairperson also suggested that the investigating officers could take the assistance of Service Providers appointed by the Social Welfare Department under the Juvenile Justice Act and Domestic Violence Act while dealing with cases relating to crimes against women and children in their jurisdiction.
The Chairperson further expressed the need for greater coordination among the criminal justice system, civil society members and voluntary organisations in working towards protecting the rights of the women and children in the state. she also informed that the Commission shall make an appeal in writing to the Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court requesting the Judiciary to set up one fast track court to accelerate trials relating to crime against women and children in the state.
Ms Pradhan further  commented that the recent law of Protection of Children against Sexual Offences, Act 2012 serves as an additional protective measure for children and emphasized that proper implementation of these provisions would provide for stringent punishment to the perpetrators.
She stressed that the SDF government under Chief Minister Pawan Chamling was completely committed towards empowerment, well-being, safety and security of women and children in particular and all citizens in general. The government is very alert in the investigation process of such incidents so the victims shall certainly be delivered due justice and all the culprits will be punished stringently, the release adds.

11-yr-old sodomized, accused absconding

STATE CHILD RIGHTS COMMISSION STANDS UP FOR THE VICTIM, LODGES F.I.R.; COMMISSION ALSO CALLS FOR WIDER AWARENESS ON SUCH THREATS PREYING ON THE YOUNG
GANGTOK, 21 Aug: The Sikkim State Commission for Protection of Child Rights following receipt of a complaint from the parents and teachers of an eleven year old boy sodomised by the priest [AK Pathak] of Krishna Mandir, Dechiling here, filed an FIR with the Sadar Thana and also led a delegation to 758 Border Roads Task Force of the GREF at Dechiling to discuss the matter with the Commandant there. The accused, who has absconded, is reportedly a GREF employee. The Commission was approached on 18 August and the incident transpired on 11 August.
A press release from the Commission informs that on receipt of the complaint, the child was brought to the Commission and during the course of counselling, the child opened up and informed that on Janmashthami [11 August], the pandit asked the child to come to the temple in the evening luring him with an offer of more prasad.
While the child arrived later, he was sodomized by the pandit. The child, traumatized by the incident, did not inform his parents about the incident. It was only when he told his sister that the parents came to know of it, it is learnt.
The release informs that the Commission’s Chairperson, Manita Pradhan, along with other members took suo moto action and filed an FIR against the GREF employee at Sadar Police Station, Gangtok and requested the law enforcing agency to take immediate action as per the law.
Further, the Chairperson along with members Yangchen Ladingpa and Law Officer Yousa Lachenpa visited the place of offence at Dechiling and also met with the Commandant, Col MN Reddy, to discuss the incident. The principal and teachers of the school  where the victim studies also accompanied the Commission members to the meeting.
The Commission has demanded that the accused, AK Pathak, who has absconded, reportedly to his home town Kishanganj in West Bengal, be immediately brought back to Sikkim and punitive action be initiated against him at the earliest.
The release adds, that the Chairperson urged the school management to regularly conduct awareness programmes on such issues and recommended that students should also come forward if any individual makes inappropriate advances and report it to the school authority. The Chairperson added that this was one of the few incidents to have taken place in Sikkim and requested all members of the civil society to report such incidents to the law enforcing agency or the Commission.
The Commission has condemned the incident and requested all schools in the state to take up awareness programmes on such issues.
A case has been registered at Sadar Thana under section 377 IPC which deals with unnatural offences.

Child Rights Commission tours West Sikkim

GANGTOK, 11 Dec: A team of Sikkim Commission for Protection of Child Rights headed by the chairperson, Manita Pradhan toured West District from 05-07 Dec. Ms. Pradhan was accompanied by Yangchen Ladingpa, Nimchoki Bhutia and other staffs, informs a press release.

Child Rights Commission visits STNM Hospital

GANGTOK, 04 Dec: Chairperson, Manita Pradhan, along with members Yangchen Ladingpa and Nimchoki Bhutia of Sikkim Commission for Protection of Child Rights visited the children’s ward of STNM Hospital on 02 Dec and interacted with parents of the recuperating children in the age group of 2 months to 9 years admitted in the hospital, informs a press release.