DC warns planters against taking minor girls for jobs

In the wake of rise in cases of sexual assault on minor children in the district, Deputy Commissioner G Satyavati has warned coffee planters against taking under-aged girls on job.

Presiding over district Child Protection Committee meeting on Tuesday here, the deputy commissioner quoted statistics of 44 cases registered under Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act in the district till February in the current financial year. If the victims conceive, that would trigger the chances of giving birth to specially-abled children.

Hence, it would be better not to take chidren below 18 years of age group to job in the district, she said. The deputy commissioner also wanted such farm owners to ensure that the children of such labourers are admitted to either anganwadis or schools. In most of the cases, labourers are found migrating in search of jobs, along with their family that includes children. In the case of otherwise, it may lead to sexual offences, with people taking undue advantage.

He said farm owners should also create awareness among the labourers, while taking measures to install CCTV cameras in the farms.

The officer instructed

the people to inform the neighbouring police stations, in case of any information on immigrants from Assam and also Bangladesh.

Deputy director, Woman and Child Welfare department Basavaraju, officials from various other departments and also coffee planters attended the meeting.

Grievance meeting

Deputy Commissioner G Satyavati will receive grievances from public during grievance redressal meeting at the taluk office in Koppa in the district from 10 am on Wednesday.

The officer will also initiate action on pending applications, according to a release from the deputy commissioner’s office.