Come August, Odisha would have its first child-friendly police station having a separate room decorated with colourful posters, toys, puzzle games and painted walls.
The decision was taken to make minor victims and children in conflict with law feel safe and comfortable.
The newly-constructed Airport Police Station near the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar would have this facility. It would be inaugurated in August, a top police official said.
“In the second floor of the three-storied building, we will have a room in the Airport police station as a child corner having some special features for minors. The child corner will have colourful posters and separately maintained furniture so as to make the child feel as comfortable as possible,” said Twin City Commissioner of Police YB Khurania.
He also informed that a Child Welfare Police Officer (CWPO) would be appointed to deal with the minor victims. The CWPO must not be below the rank of an Assistant Sub-Inspector with aptitude, appropriate training and orientation to exclusively deal with children either as victims or perpetrators in coordination with the police, voluntary and nongovernmental organisations.
The child-friendly room, which would be distinguished from other parts of the police station, would have a provision for audio/video recording of a child’s statement. The facility would remain under CCTV surveillance, Khurania added.
Notably, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), the country’s apex child protection body, in June last year, had directed all States for establishment of child-friendly corners in all police stations.