Use of children for political protest; Rights body requests police to book accused

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR) has moved the Kamrup SP with a missive requesting the latter to book those who used a group of children in the recent Bharat bandh at Goroimari, Chhaygaon.

In her letter to the SP, ASCPCR chairperson Dr. Sunita Changkakati said, "…it has come to knowledge of the Commission regarding the use of children in political protest rally. It is informed to the Commission that a group of children were used in a protest rally at Goroimari, Chhaygaon, Kamrup by Azirul Sarkar, Izrail Haque, Shukur Ali (AP member of Achalpara) and Gohar Ali. It can be observed in a video clip of ten seconds that a large number of children are beating a burning effigy with sticks while the adult protesters are standing behind them. It is therefore pertinent to understand that the leaders and participants of the protest are directly responsible for exposing children to grave danger of serious injury and threat to life by letting the children participate in a protest that include weapons like sticks for beating and fire for burning of effigy. Also by bringing the children to the political protest which includes sticks and fire and a serious chance of injury, the participants also polluted young children's mind and filled them with hatred. Both the particularities amount to gross child abuse.

"It's pertinent to mention that engaging children in the protest rallies can be identified as a punishable offence under Section 75 of the juvenile justice (care and protection of children) Act, 2015.

"The Commission has taken cognizance of the said matter under Section 13 of the Commission for the Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005 and therefore requests you to take necessary action to register a case against the accused under appropriate provisions of the mentioned Act. You are also requested to ensure that no children are being used in any of the protest rallies. Action taken report along with the copy of the FIR may please be sent to the commission within five days of receipt of the communication."

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