Shillong, May 4: The Hid Foundation Shillong has sought urgent intervention from the Deputy Commissioner of Ri-Bhoi district following a reported incident in which a newborn baby was allegedly buried alive.

In a press note issued on May 4, the organisation said it had submitted a memorandum on May 4 through its Nongpoh Unit Office to the Deputy Commissioner of Ri-Bhoi, who also serves as Chairman of the District Child Welfare and Protection Committee (DCWPC).

The foundation strongly condemned the incident and expressed concern over what it described as rising crimes against children in the district.

According to the memorandum, the organisation urged the district administration to ensure strict enforcement of key child protection laws, including the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, and relevant provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The Hid Foundation also called for an urgent meeting of the District Child Welfare and Protection Committee (DCWPC) to review the functioning of child protection bodies such as the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Special Juvenile Police Units (SJPUs) and village-level child protection committees, while stressing the need for stronger inter-departmental coordination.

It further urged the administration to undertake district-wide sensitisation programmes on safe surrender provisions, legal consequences of child abandonment, and training of frontline workers, including ASHAs, Anganwadi workers and village authorities.

The organisation also emphasised the need to ensure medical care and rehabilitation of the rescued infant through the District Child Protection Unit.

In addition, the foundation called for accountability by seeking action-taken reports from concerned departments and instituting regular monitoring mechanisms to address gaps in child protection.

Stating that child safety is a collective responsibility, the organisation highlighted the role of the Deputy Commissioner, in his capacity as DCWPC chairman, in strengthening child protection mechanisms in Ri-Bhoi.

The Hid Foundation also expressed its willingness to extend full cooperation to the district administration in efforts aimed at improving child safety.