PATNA: The Bihar government has decided to set up child help desks and specially designated child corners in all police stations across the state by October 2.
The decision was taken by the state police headquarters a day after Preeta Verma, a 1991-batch IPS officer, assumed additional charge as Director General of Police (DGP) in the absence of incumbent state police chief Vijay Kumar.
Verma held a high-level meeting with all IGs, DIGs and SPs on Tuesday and directed them to ensure the safety of girls and women under their jurisdiction. The child help desks and specially designated child corners will be made operational at all 1,400 police stations across the state by October 2.
The centres will function under the Criminal Investigation Department (Weaker Section) and remain separate from police lockups. A Child Welfare Officer (CWC) will run the help desks and child corners.
“We have decided to set up a child help desk or specially designated child corner in every police station of the state by October 2. All SPs have been directed to send their compliance report to the state police headquarters by October 5,” ADG, CID (Weaker Section), K S Anupam told the media on Thursday.
The centres will be made operational under Section 8 (5) of the Bihar Police Act, 2007, and directions of the Supreme Court and National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Anupam said.
Anupam said the child help desks and specially designated child corners would be established at visible places in police stations. The mobile numbers of Child Welfare Officers and District Child Protection Officers would be displayed at the centres.
“The idea is to make things easier for the victims to get their complaints registered and proper action is taken,” a senior police officer said, adding that competent women police officers would be assigned to run the centres.
Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) of Special Crimes-cum-Special Juvenile Police Units and other senior police officers at the district level will monitor the centres.
“It will be responsibility of DSPs concerned to ensure sensitive and effecting policing in case related to children,” the officer remarked.
