Taking cognisance of a compliant about two children being beaten by the police in the police station, Uttarakhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights chairman on Thursday sought an explanation from Pithoragarh Superintendent of Police and directed him to submit the report within 72 hours.
USCPCR chairperson Ajay Setia said that in his written complaint, Banshi Nath, resident of Nirara (Pithoragarh district) stated that his 15-year old son Prakash Nath and 17-year old nephew Pankaj Nath were taken by police and beaten up in the police station which was violation of Juvenile Justice (Care and protection of Children) Act 2000.
The complainant had also mentioned the name of the policeman who beat the children in the police station. Taking cognisance of this, Setia has sought an explanation from Pithoragarh SP and directed him to submit the report within 72 hours.
Recently, the USCPCR chairman had written a letter to the principal secretary, Social Welfare, seeking action against the principal of State Ashram Paddhati Vidyalaya, Khatima for failing to provide meals on time to the enrolled students.
About 50 children from Uttar Pradesh are also studying in this residential school run by the Uttarakhand Government. This issue needs to be investigated and children from Uttar Pradesh who are enrolled in the institution should be sent back to their home State. Setia said that cases related to child abuse are increasing in the state but district officers do not take such issues seriously in spite of several letters being sent to them.