Drive against child labour, begging carried out in Shopian

Shopian, Nov 17: On the directions of the Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department, the District Social Welfare Office Shopian, conducted a Child in Street Situations (CISS) drive in collaboration with various stakeholders, including Child Welfare Committee, Childline, Police, Labour Department, and Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU).

The drive targeted sensitive hotspot areas of the district to identify and rescue minor children engaged in labour work and begging in hazardous environments, as per the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.  During the drive, three children were identified and rescued from situations involving child labour.

The rescued children were immediately produced before the CWC for assessment and intervention.  The CWC conducted a thorough assessment of the children’s needs, followed by individual counseling sessions to ensure their well-being and emotional stability.

After counseling, the children were handed over to their parents with a written assurance that they would not be engaged in labour or hazardous activities in the future.

The drive highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts in safeguarding children's rights and addressing child labour and exploitation issues. The CWC reiterated its commitment to continuous monitoring and intervention to ensure that rescued children remain in a safe and nurturing environment. Future follow-ups will be conducted to ensure compliance with the assurance given by the parents.