Today a Joint meeting of GSCPCR , Child Welfare Committees of both North and South district was held
in Police Headquarters along with DGP Goa, IGP , SPs North and South district , SP Women’s Cell and
Child Welfare Officers in all the Police Stations to discuss ways and means to improve coordination
among various stake holders in the area of Crime against Children and Children in need of care and
protection. Mr Peter Borges, chairman of Goa State Commission for protection of Human Rights made
a presentation on Protection of Children against Sexual Offences. He solicited full cooperation from
Police Department in ensuring that details about traumatized Children who have been victim of sexual
assault so that their cases for compensation can be processed and sent to Government. He alao raised
the issue of begging by Children. The presidents of Child Welfare Committees raised the issue of service
of summons etc. The Chairman also highlighted the issue of provision of transport to ferry children to
Child Care Institutions.
Shri Jaspal Singh Director General of Police stated that Goa Police accords top priority to POCSO and JJ
Act cases. He stated that Goa is first among the States to file charge sheet in 60 days in POCSO cases. He
further stated that to ensure that the mandate of POCSO Act is complied with a quarterly meeting is
held in the office of DGP to review the progress and compliance of mandatory provisions of the Act.
With respect to begging he observed that prevention of begging is a multi disciplinary activity and Police
alone cannot deal with it. Various stakeholders will have to come to the same platform to deal with this
social menace. Moreover, Child beggars should not be tackled by Uniformed personnel as that can
further traumatized the children. However, he noted that begging appears to be an organized racket
and deep and focused investigation is required to unearth the whole network and it requires joint and
sustained efforts. Further, a rehabilitation strategy is required before the beggars are removed from
streets and beaches.
Inspector General Shri Omvir Singh assured the stakeholders that Police Department would extend all
cooperation to the various agencies involved in the welfare of children. SP Women Police Station stated
that Special Juvenile Police Units are working in both the districts and similarly Child Welfare Officers
have also been nominated. The Chairman requested that they should not be frequently transferred as it
takes long time for the new incumbent to understand the nuances of the job. DGP Shri Singh stated that
a special module of training of such officers would be prepared and sought assistance of the commission
to provide resource persons for the same. He assured the commission that he would definitely look into
the issue of frequent transfers of such specialized officers.
The issue of alleged sale of children was also raised by a member of the CWC and SP South Shri Abhishek
assured to look into the same. The Chairman highlighted specific cases from Police Stations Colva,
Margaon and Verna respectively. DGP Stated that though the domain of adoption is not in the purview
of Police Department therefore cases of irregular adoptions should be referred to appropriate
authorities. However, the cases of illegal Sale of Children, if any would be looked into by respective
district SP. The meeting ended with a resolve by all stakeholders to work together.