NHRC plans database on missing kids

The National Human Rights Commission on Monday recommended compilation of a national database to 8220;prioritise8221; the issue of missing children in the country.

The National Human Rights Commission NHRC on Monday recommended compilation of a national database to 8220;prioritise8221; the issue of missing children in the country. The issue was highlighted by The Indian Express. Coming in the backdrop of the Nithari incident, where unheeded reports of missing children led to the loss of many lives, this forms part of a host of recommendations by the rights body.

Presenting a report of its own committee 8212; headed by member P C Sharma 8212; on missing children, Chairperson Justice Rajendra Babu said the database would help in acting as a 8220;nodal point8221; to integrate and exchange information on children missing and found across the country. Out of the 44,000 children missing NHRC figure for 2005 across the country, about 11,000 remained untraced.

The apex rights body said an agency like the National Crime Records Bureau NCRB would be most suited to set up the database or the National Tracking System. 8220;The database should not just be a record of information about missing children but monitored by the NCRB so that prompt reporting of returned, rescued and recovered children are included,8221; Sharma said. The report has been prepared after extensive discussions with the Home Ministry, CBI, Delhi Police, NGOs and mediapersons.

WHAT DOES IT CALL FOR

8226; A Missing Persons Squad in every police station to register complaints of missing children

8226; The Special Cell for missing children in CBI should be strengthened with adequate resources

8226; The District administration should regularly inspect places where children are suspected to be employed

8226; The newly constituted National Commission for Children should be informed about every case of missing child; state police headquarters to devise a system of mandatory reporting

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8226; Panchayats need to be involved in the process of reporting cases as well as tracking down missing children. NGO have to be involved too

8226; The NCRB should establish a national tracking system to locate and trace children. Its annual report should also include figures of missing children

8226; State and district Crime Record Bureaus need to be revived

8226; All border posts need to keep special vigil for spotting children who are being trafficked.

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8226; Like AP and Tamil Nadu, states should consider lodging FIRs on reports of missing children if the child is not found within 15 days of reported missing. It should be considered a cognisable offence.