The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has taken cognizance of a video showing the coordinator of a specialized adoption agency in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district badly thrashing two children. Following a complaint from officials of the woman and children development department, police arrested Seema Dwivedi, the coordinator of the adoption agency, on Monday for allegedly physically assaulting the children at the center. In response, the District Collector registered an FIR and suspended the District Program Officer of the government. The remaining action is being taken.
NCPCR Chairperson Priyank Kanoongo tweeted that cognizance has been taken of the video of children being thrashed in a creche in Chhattisgarh. He praised the action taken by the District Collector, saying, The District Collector has taken action and registered an FIR and suspended the District Program Officer of the government.
The coordinator has been charged under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, and the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Additionally, the then District Program Officer Kanker Chandrashekhar Mishra has been suspended for negligence in the investigation of complaints against the adoption agency.
Cases of physical assault on children are highly condemnable, and the government needs to take strict measures to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. The NCPCR’s swift action in this case is commendable, but more awareness and education are required to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the first place. Children must be protected and treated with kindness and respect, especially in care centers and adoption agencies, where they are sent to receive love, care, and support. Agencies and governments must make it a priority to protect children from any forms of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
