Top cop orders verification of child care institutes in Odisha

In the wake of two recent cases of sexual abuse in shelter homes of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, Odisha DGP RP Sharma today directed all superintendents of police to carry out a verification of child care institutions in the state, an official statement said.

The instruction was issued to the officers apprehending similar incidents in Odisha, it said.

"All SPs should monitor the security situation at the shelter homes and submit weekly reports to the state police headquarters. They should also sensitise the police officers in their areas to keep a watch on any suspicious activities at the facilities," the statement said quoting Sharma.

The DGP suggested the SPs to constitute teams, comprising officers of Investigative Unit on Crimes Against Women and Integrated Anti Human Trafficking Unit, for the verification process.

"The visiting teams are required to collect registers maintained by the shelter homes containing details of the inmates. They should prepare a report with information on the institute's source of funding, frequent visitors, safety measures, communication systems and medical aid," he asserted.

The team should also conduct a check to find out about the education facilities provided to the inmates, Sharma said.

"All particulars about the members of the management committee at the homes, including their addresses and phone numbers, should be available with the police. The team should also ensure that the children get to interact freely in a congenial atmosphere," the DGP said.

Sharma also stressed on inducting female officers in the team.

"One female officer should be present at the home during verification for interacting with the girl inmates. The visiting teams must be polite to the inmates as well as the management. The SPs may request the collectors to depute a district officer during the visit," the DGP stated.

He cautioned the SPs against unnecessary harassments during the verification process.

"No one should be unnecessarily harassed during this exercise. In case any incident of sexual abuse of children comes to light, immediate and stringent legal action must follow without and delay," he added.