Nagaland sees spike in missing child cases

Eastern Mirror Desk Dimapur, July 28: Incidents of missing children in Nagaland have risen alarmingly over the years, according to a report released by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development on July 26. The information, which was provided by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), showed the number of children that went missing in the country during 2014-2016. It stated that the number of missing children under the age of 18 in Nagaland had increased from four in 2014 to 71 in 2016. The Union Territory of Lakshadweep reported no missing cases in the given years while Mizoram saw a decline from two cases in 2014 to nil in 2016.   The report also accounted the complaints of children running away from home, and harassment against children in observational homes received by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), mandated under Section 109 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2015. It indicated that Nagaland had 12 observational homes, the highest number among the North East states while Arunachal Pradesh ranked lowest with no observational homes for juvenile delinquents. Interestingly, no complaints were received by NCPCR from the NE states. The Juvenile Justice Act, under section 75 provides for the protection of children from offences committed by ‘child care institutions’ or ‘any person employed or managing organisation, which is entrusted with the care and protection of the child.’ Punishments include imprisonment for up to five years and a penalty which may extend up to INR 5 lakh.