ASCPCR takes cognizance of cruelty to girl child during

Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR) has taken suo-moto cognizance of alleged cruelty to a girl child by members of a political party during a protest in North Lakhimpur district.

The Commission took cognizance of media reports that a girl child aged about 7-9 years was used as an instrument of protest by making her sit on a layer of dry betel nut tree leaves, locally called 'dhokua' and dragging her during the demonstration held at midday yesterday in the scorching summer sun on Wednesday, a release issued by the ASCPCR said here today.

The media reports said the protest was held by the Congress against rising fuel prices and other policies of the BJP government both at the Centre and the state.

The ASCPCR has taken suo-moto cognizance under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005 and has instructed the police administration to take immediate action against the perpetrators.

The Commission identifies the action as a punishable offence under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, the release said.

Commission Chairperson Sunita Changkakati also spoke to the district superintendent of police and was assured of appropriate action at the earliest.

The incident has sparked widespread protests across the social and electronic media.