Operation Muskan: NGOs urged to help bring back school dropouts

NGOs should join hands with the police department in bringing school dropouts back to school, SP P Rajendra Prasad said.

At a meeting on Operation Muskan organised by the district police and special police unit for children in Madikeri on Thursday, he said public should extend their support to the police department in checking trafficking of women and children and also in eradicating child labour and child marriage. “There has been an increase in incidences of children being spotted at bus and railway stations and on streets. Public should be observant and bring it to the notice of the nearest police station. We all have a responsibility to protect children below the age of 18 years,” the SP said.

Of the 32 missing children in the district, 30 have been traced, he said.

Women and Child Development Department Deputy Director Mumthaaz said that the women and child development department provides financial assistance to rehabilitate children and women who are victims of atrocity. A total of 36 child marriage cases have been reported in the district, she said.

Murugesh of Swastha from Suntikoppa said that children work in hotels, meat stalls, bars, restaurants and coffee estates. He said there is a need to eradicate child labour system from the district. The SP asked him to furnish details on child labourers working in different units of the labour department.