Guwahati, 02 August (HS): Assam Police, under its flagship Sishu Mitra Programme, hosted a State-Level Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue in Guwahati aimed at enhancing coordination and addressing systemic challenges in the child protection ecosystem. The event sought to bolster institutional response mechanisms and promote shared responsibility among key stakeholders to safeguard child rights and ensure rehabilitation and justice.
The Sishu Mitra Programme, launched in 2019, is a joint initiative of Assam Police, UTSAH Child Rights Organisation, and UNICEF, striving to create a child-friendly policing system in the state.
Justice Kaushik Goswami of the Gauhati High Court, the Chief Guest at the event, hailed the initiative as a vital step towards ensuring seamless access to justice for children. “Child protection is not a gift; it is every stakeholder’s Constitutional duty,” he stated.
Director General of Police, Harmeet Singh, IPS, said the dialogue aligns with the Chief Minister’s vision for child welfare. “This platform was created to help stakeholders collectively address challenges that hinder children’s access to justice and services,” he added.
Ajay Tewari, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary (Home & Political), stressed the importance of child-sensitive infrastructure in police stations, courts, and allied institutions.
Senior officials including John B. Ekka (Labour Welfare), Mukesh Ch. Sahu (Women & Child Development), Dr. P Ashok Babu (Health), Sanjukta Parashar (CID), and others delivered technical presentations. Judges, prosecutors and officials from legal, educational, and welfare departments also participated in the dialogue, which was moderated by Sarmistha Barua, APS, AIG (Welfare).
Additional DGP Surendra Kumar, Convenor of the Sishu Mitra Programme, concluded the event with a call for continued reforms and institutional synergy.
Assam Police announced that this dialogue will now be held regularly to advance a more inclusive, child-friendly protection system in the state.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
