Protect street children, people told at a programme in Ongole

 Ongole:“Everyone should try to protect street children, who are living alone in the streets, bus and railway stations. Neglected by the society, they are facing a number of problems,” said the secretary of District Legal Services Authority and senior civil judge T Raja Venkatadri.

The judge was participating as the chief guest at the awareness programme organised for auto drivers and passengers at the railway station. The programme was jointly organised by the DLSA, HELP NGO and Childline 1098 to observe National Street Children Day on Thursday.

He advised them to join the children in any of the government recognized homes for their better future. He said that a number of children leaving home for small reasons and angry with their parents, but becoming victims of trafficking gangs and involving in begging, prostitution, and thefts.

He advised the public and auto drivers to inform the railway police or call Childline at toll-free number 1098 after taking them into their protection. He said the officials produce them before the Child Welfare Committee and join them in the government recognized hostels. In the meantime, their parents are tracked and the children are handed over to them.

HELP NGO paralegal volunteer BV Sagar said that the government, nongovernment organizations, legal department and other stakeholders should work in coordination to protect the child rights.

Girls Advocacy Alliance facilitator Ch Manemma, GRP Sub-Inspector of Police Shaikh  Ahmed, RPF SI Prasad, head constable MG Kishore Kumar, Childline 1098 coordinators P Mantru Naik, Murali Krishna, Devakumari and others also participated in the programme.