Mangaluru, 23 Jun 2017: Dakshina Kannada district Deputy Commissioner Dr K G Jagadeesh expressed concern over the rising cases of missing children owing to study pressures.
Addressing the meeting of district children protection unit at his chamber, here, on Thursday, June 22, DC Dr Jagadeesh said 214 children were reported missing in DK district since 2014. During counseling 51 children confessed that they deserted their homes owing to study pressures by their parents. It’s a serious issue. The children should be encouraged depending on their ability. Comparing the marks of others and pressuring the children is unjustified, that got to change, said Dr Jagadeesh.
He advised DDPi to organize programmes in order to reduce study pressures on the children through the teachers.
The district child protection officer Usman informed that 57 children reported missing owing to loneliness and 36 children owing to love affairs.
Dr Jagadeesh further said, ‘DK district has lone adoption center at Puttur. The proposals should be invited from interested organizations to open such adoption centers in Mangaluru. The infrastructural facilities should be verified to grant license. Mangaluru has highly skilled children’s specialists that would help the adoption center,’ said Dr Jagadeesh.
One-hundred-five children were enrolled in adoption center at Puttur, out of which 65 children are given for adoption. Two-hundred-nine-two couples have submitted applications for adoption so far, while 130 couples are on waiting list, informed district child protection officer.
Dr Jagadeesh instructed the officers to caution the adoption center in Puttur where 10 children had died since 2011. He instructed to register FIR at the police station before admitting the orphaned children at the adoption center.
Under POCSO Act, 347 cases were registered in DK district since 2012 for sexual abuse on children. Out of which, investigations are underway in 308 cases; punishment imposed on 6 cases.
Dr Jagadeesh advised block education officers (BEOs) to install suggestion boxes at the schools and check the same at least once a month during teachers meeting.
ZP education and health steering Committee president Shahul Hameed, district legal services Authority secretary Mallana Gowda, ZP deputy secretary N R Umesh and others were present.