'Uttarakhand government should ascertain exact number of missing children'

NEW DELHI: Amid reports estimating that 1,200 children may be missing from Uttarakhand, a team of officials from WCD Ministry and National Commission for Protection of Child Rights who visited the state on Wednesday has asked the state government to come out with the exact figures.

The team comprising Joint Secretary Vivek Joshi and NCPCR chairperson Kushal Singh met Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and emphasised the need to take care of orphaned children and trace those missing.

Earlier, NCPCR chairperson had expressed concern over the state government's claim of finding only one orphan.

"I am worried and finding it hard to believe that they have found only one three-year-old orphan girl with deaths of many adults being reported," she said, adding that the girl, whose legs were fractured, is recuperating at a Dehradun hospital.

The team also held meetings with civil society representatives working in Uttarakhand and senior officials of the state government.

It also asked the state to initiate dialogue with child rights organisations and assured the government about all possible support in respect of ongoing schemes such as Integrated Child Development Schemes (ICDS), Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS), SABLA, Swadhar, Short Stay Home, Creche scheme and others.

The team also felt that there is a need for better sensitisation, awareness on child rights and protection of children. It will soon submit its report to the ministry.