VELLORE: In a move aimed at preventing children falling into wrong hands, the Government Railway Police has set up Child Protection Committees (CPCs) in all major railway stations in the Chennai Railway Police District limits to rescue and reunite runaway kids with their
families. Such committees have been set up in Chennai Central, Egmore, Katpadi, Jolarpet, Salem, Dharmapuri, Erode, and Coimbatore stations.
The department has also formed a Juvenile Aided Police Unit headed by an officer of ADSP rank to monitor railway stations. The objective is to prevent runaway children falling prey to human trafficking or anti-social elements.
“The committee will attend to the psychological, physical and medical needs of runaway children and reunite them with their families,” said P Vijaya Kumar, Superintendent of Police (Chennai RP District).
The GRP has come up with the mechanism as over 400 children are rescued in major railway stations in Chennai GRP district limit in a year. The committee would be headed by the station master and comprise 10 to 15 members.
Inspector of the respective GRP station, Railway Protection Force, District Probation Officer, Child Welfare Officer, representatives of auto, taxi and porters’ associations would be members of the committee.
“A policewoman will be appointed as the Child Welfare Officer. She will, in civilian dress, attend to runaway children and enquire about their family whereabouts. After collecting the relevamt information, the child will be handed over to the District Child Welfare Office,” Vijaya Kumar added.
In addition, the committee would also take care of the immediate needs (food, clothes, counselling and medical) of the rescued child.