Meghalaya Authorities Rescue 24 Children From Substandard Karnataka Facility: New Child Protection Measures Proposed

The Meghalaya Directorate of Social Welfare has officially assumed responsibility for 24 children who were rescued from a facility in Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka. Officials claimed that the private residential educational institution was operating in substandard conditions.

According to Agatha Sangma, Chairperson of the Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) and former Union minister, the children were successfully returned to Meghalaya through a coordinated effort involving government officials and various child-rights organizations.

"We discovered that the organization sending these children to Karnataka was operating illegally, and appropriate action has been taken. The deputy commissioner has issued an order prohibiting their operations, and further legal measures will be implemented," stated Agatha Sangma.

She further highlighted a concerning trend involving the transportation of minors without proper protocols being followed.

"The commission has identified several groups transporting minors to institutions outside Meghalaya without proper registration or approval from district authorities. While some children are being sent to other states ostensibly for educational purposes, these organizations are operating without legal registration. The commission has formally addressed Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, requesting the government to develop a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to regulate this process. These SOPs aim to ensure children's safety at these institutions and establish a more transparent and coordinated system," Sangma explained.

The SCPCR has already submitted written recommendations to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma advocating for the creation of a Standard Operating Procedure governing the movement of children under 18 years of age to institutions outside the state.