Operations Smile & Muskan in Odisha

9416

919

Missing Children Between 2011-July 2015

FoundYet to find

Missing Children in Odisha- A Scenario

Efforts by the State

Odisha is one of the leading states to have established IAHTUs in all districts

At present 37 IAHTUs are functioning in the

state

In Jan’15 State Government sanctioned

160 additional posts

12 DSPs

25 Inspectors

74 Sub- Inspectors

49 Constables

The State Police Headquarters has

Issued Police Circular Order(PCO)- 344/2013 for immediate registration of FIR in all cases of missing children as per the orders of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.Directed that in case a child is not recovered within 4 months the case will be transferred to IAHTU for intensive investigation.Directed that IAHTUs shall file periodical status report after every 3 months to keep the Legal Service Authorities updated.Framed a Standard Operating Procedure for investigation of cases of missing children.Authorised SPs to reward Rs.5000/- to any person giving information regarding any missing child leading to his/her rescue.

To hasten the tracking of missing children

Each M&S Desk is headed by one Woman Sub-Inspector

M&S Desks deal with all cases relating to women and children

Police officers posted to the M&S Desks are designated as Juvenile Welfare Officer

Government has sanctioned 537 additional posts of Women Sub-Inspectors especially for M&S Desks

Mahila & Shishu Desks

Mahila and Shishu Desks established in all Police Stations in the State.

The month long operation launched on 1stJan, 2015.

Two video conferences conducted by the DGP in Dec’14 to guide and sensitise district SsP on the issue of missing children.

One day state level training programme on POCSO Act, JJ Act and Protection of Child Rights Act organized on 27thDecember, 2014.

56 Police Officers trained and sensitized in the training programme.

Operation Smile

Operation Smile - Results

During the drive, children residing in shelter homes, on railway platforms, those

taking refuge in bus stands, roads, religious places, etc., were screened and their identity documented by Police personnel

Rescued 335 children

97 238

Operation Muskan

The two phases

Search for missing children

within the state

Search for missing children

within the state

In view of engagement of Police personnel in Nabkalebar Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, the operation was launched in two phases.

Operation Muskan- Phase I

Period : 1st-12th July 2015

Search for missing children within the state

Total 981 rescued – 812 boys, 169 girls

Some were child labourers

Operation Muskan- Phase II

Nine teams formed at Range level

Teams visited 44 cities in 11 states- Bihar, Jharkhand, AP, Telengana, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamilnadu, Kerala and West Bengal

Apart from railway stations, bus stands, religious places etc., 244 shelter homes visited

Teams travelled for 10-15 days

87 children rescued – 21 girls and 66 boys

Youngest child is a 3 year old boy

Period : 30th July 2015 onwards

Follow Up A Reason to Smile

Out of 87 children rescued, 56 have been reunited with their families

Planning and Preparation

Co-ordination and Collaboration along both, Vertical and Horizontal levels

Consistent follow-up

Keys to Our Success

Formation of teams- Willing and Motivated personnel

Updating of information on each child by visiting their homes

Preparation of album of all missing children

Collection of information about destination states

Comprehensive training of the police teams engaged in the drive

Teams given folders containing all possible information

Continuous monitoring and round the clock back-up support including legal advice

Plan Well

Police stations staff verified all reports of missing children. Their homes visited, photographs collected.

District SsP collated information and prepared photo albums.

Teams formed at Range levels by DIGs/IGs.

CID-CB coordinated efforts, collaborated with WCD and other states and organized training.

DGP took review meeting and conducted video conference.

Vertical Co-ordination

Review meetings by Chief SecretaryCo-ordination meeting between Nodal Officer and Secretary, WCDWCD officers participated in training of teamComposite Teams- WCD officers tagged with all teamsMonetary support by WCDLetters to Nodal officers and WCD departments of all states followed by personal phone callsClose co-ordination with help of Whatsapp GroupsOn their return, teams were welcomed jointly by Police and WCD officialsRescued children were handed over to WCD for follow up action

Horizontal Collaboration

Most states provided accommodation and vehicle

Liaison Officers attached with teams

Support by local police stations

WCD officials helped in procedural formalities at CWCs

Horizontal Collaboration

Follow Up

Efforts are on to trace families of 22 children.

A dossier on each rescued child has been opened in IAHTU

District officers are tasked to keep track of all the rescued children

Women & Child Development department has moved to cover eligible children to enrol in their Sponsorship Scheme

To keep the effort sustained

Lack of information about places to be searched for missing children, especially shelter homes.

Indifferent CWC at some places.

Non-cooperation by local authorities, including Police, at some locations.

Problems in movement with large number of rescued children.

Challenges Faced

Sharing of information regarding children staying in various shelter homes.

An SOP for co-operation for inter-state rescue operations

Police in metros need to have better infrastructure, man power and willingness to help visiting teams.

GOI may advise states for better co-ordination in such inter-state operations.

Resident Commissioners/ Local representatives of the states in metro cities need to be involved

GRP has a major role to play

A booklet containing details of MHA officials, State Nodal Officers, WCD Departments, IAHTUs, Shelter Homes, CWCs, important NGOs needs to be published.

Road Ahead….

Ghar Wapsi

Let the Smiles spread…..