NHRC issues notice to Chief Secretary and DGP, Gujarat
New Delhi 27th February 2007
The National Human Rights Commission has sent notice to Chief Secretary and DGP, Gujarat on a news report, which said that between 2001 and 2005, 1054 children in the age group of 6 months to 18 years were reported missing. The report which appeared in the Indian Express on February 5, 2007 said the figures for 2006 are being compiled. It is further said that the police itself discouraged parents from filing missing complaints.
Calling it a serious violation of human rights of the children, the Commission has given four weeks time to the two officials to provide factual report in respect of all the districts of Gujarat.
The report also highlighted that there is no system or mechanism is in place in the State by which the missing complaints filed at one police station is relayed to another station, even in the same city. The missing Persons Cell in various cities is inadequately staffed and tracing of missing persons is very low on its priority the report added. It is further said that the police manual itself does not give much importance to dealing with cases of missing persons or un-identified bodies.
The Commission has directed that a copy of the news report be sent to the Chief Secretary and DGP, of the State for the factual report.
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The National Human Rights Commission has sent notice to Chief Secretary and DGP, Gujarat on a news report, which said that between 2001 and 2005, 1054 children in the age group of 6 months to 18 years were reported missing. The report which appeared in the Indian Express on February 5, 2007 said the figures for 2006 are being compiled. It is further said that the police itself discouraged parents from filing missing complaints.
Calling it a serious violation of human rights of the children, the Commission has given four weeks time to the two officials to provide factual report in respect of all the districts of Gujarat.
The report also highlighted that there is no system or mechanism is in place in the State by which the missing complaints filed at one police station is relayed to another station, even in the same city. The missing Persons Cell in various cities is inadequately staffed and tracing of missing persons is very low on its priority the report added. It is further said that the police manual itself does not give much importance to dealing with cases of missing persons or un-identified bodies.
The Commission has directed that a copy of the news report be sent to the Chief Secretary and DGP, of the State for the factual report.
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