First children-friendly police station of Haryana comes up in Palwal

The first children-friendly police station of Haryana has been opened in Palwal. Named “Baal Veer Thana”, it was inaugurated by Justice AK Mittal of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on August 31.

Facts :

• The first-of-its-kind police station has been set up on the premises of the women’s police station near Agra Chowk, Palwal.
• The walls of the two-room premises have been decorated with pictures and wallpapers of Baal Veer, Chhota Bheem and Doremon, with a section having comics and books.
• Soft toys and games such as Ludo and carom board have been provided in the playroom.
• Police officers will don civilian dress so that children feel at home.
• The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) evolved the concept of the children-friendly police station, while it took the help of an NGO, Bachpan Bachao Andolan, in setting it up.
• In March, 251 minors were produced in police stations of the district. This made realise the problem and led to opening a children-friendly police station.

Analysis :

• The motive is to make children, who are victims of violence or crime, comfortable and detach the trauma attached with a police station.
• Adding that friendly environment would help minors pour their heart out in describing things and recording statements about any incident they had faced or witnessed.
• It will serve as an first point of contact for children when in difficult circumstances.
• It is an attempt to establish a pool of child friendly police personnel and better compliance with various legal provisions relating to child rights and child protection.
• This first-of-its-kind of an initiative will equip the police personnel with appropriate knowledge to effectively exercise their duty, ensure better protection of child rights and prevent the abuse of minors.

By: Harman Sandhu