To ensure a child-friendly world where all children are free from abuse and exploitation, Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), founded by Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi and the Madhya Pradesh Police Department, today, unveiled 12 ‘child-friendly’ police stations. Out of these 12 stations, 10 police stations have been set up in Vidisha, Sehore, Rajgarh and Raisain districts under the Bhopal Division.
The inauguration ceremony that was organised at Maharana Pratap Nagar Police Station, Bhopal to formally handover all the 12 Child-Friendly Police Stations to the authorities by BBA, witnessed the participation of esteemed dignitaries and personnel of the State’s police department.
As part of the joint initiative, BBA sensitised and apprised the police about the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights’ guidelines for establishing child-friendly police stations. The organisation assisted in its implementation and ensured that no procedural provisions are overlooked while dealing with the children.
These child-friendly police stations were constructed with substantive assistance from BBA. Adorned with wall paintings, these rooms have been furnished with beds, water coolers, lights and computer, which would make the children, visiting the police stations, comfortable and feel at ease. Apart from this, the presence of books, toys and games in these rooms will be helpful in making children less anxious.
While speaking at the event, Inspector-General of Police, IPS Yogesh Deshmukh acknowledged and appreciated the efforts of BBA for constructing 12 child-friendly police stations in 4 districts of the State. Other dignitaries at the inauguration event included Manish Sharma from BBA, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Irshad Wali, AIG-CID, Mahaveer Mujaldey, Superintendent of Police (S.P.), South, Sampat Upadhyay, to name a few.
Samir Mathur, CEO BBA, said, “We congratulate the Madhya Pradesh Police department for undertaking this noble initiative. Child-friendly police stations will play a crucial role in ensuring that every child has access to justice. Offering an enabling environment, these child-friendly police stations, have been instrumental in encouraging the reporting of crimes relating to children. We are delighted to work with the Madhya Pradesh Government for this initiative, and hope that our strong partnership will help in combating any form of exploitation against children in the State.”
