30 May,2012, Shillong

The National Human Rights Commission has expressed serious concern over child labour in mines in Meghalaya and asked the State government to stop child labour in all its forms. During a day long camp sitting in Shillong today, the Commission asked the state authorities to conduct a survey of mines to find out the number of child labourers employed there and take measures for their schooling and rehabilitation. The State authorities admitted that 220 child workers were identified in Jaintia hills. They were asked to give monetary compensation to the child labourers as per the provisions of bonded labour Act. The Commission gave them eight weeks time to submit an action taken report. With reference to allegation of illegal and rampant mining in the State, the Commission said that the State government should exercise its jurisdiction of authority in controlling it. The state should study the issue of mining from the point of view of bonded labour, environmental and health hazards and trafficking and sexual exploitation of women. With reference to incidents of sexual exploitation of minor girls and abandoning of newly born children and dead foetus, the Commission said that the State government needs to look into this issue from social aspect apart from a criminal offence. It should spread awareness in society about ills of this problem The Commission during discussion with the Chief Secretary, DGP and other senior officers of the State government asked them to comply with the NHRC recommendations and guidelines, among others, on submitting reports on encounter and custodial deaths. The Commission heard 9 cases in its Full Commission and two Divisional Benches sittings and closed two cases. The Commission recommended rupees three lakhs as monetary relief encounter. While discussing the issues of human rights violations solid and other social welfare schemes and bring the same to the knowledge of the Commission for taking necessary action.

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