New Delhi, Dec 14: The Government has requested to the all States to start “Operation Smile-II” from January.
The Union Home Secretary, Rajiv Mehrishi has written a letter to the Chief Secretaries of all states for whole hearted participation in ‘Operation Smile-II’ in their respective States.
Earlier all States were advised to take up a one month campaign titled ‘Operation Smile’ in the month of January, 2015 to rescue and rehabilitate the missing children. Similarly, another dedicated campaign titled ‘Operation Muskaan’ was launched in the month of July, 2015 throughout the country.
The States have so far reported that 9146 children under Operation ‘Smile’ and 19742 children under Operation “Muskaan” were rescued and rehabilitated.
During this operation, all children residing in shelter homes, platforms, bus stands, roads, religious places, etc. are to be screened by trained police personnel. Before 1st January, 2016, the Police Personnel from each state are to be properly trained in methodology to extract information from such children tactfully without their getting intimidated, as well as in various provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) JJ Act, Protection of Child Right Act, relevant sections of Cr.PC & IPC and Advisories issued by MHA.
During the operation, the particulars of such identified children will be uploaded on the ‘Missing child’ portal of the Ministry of Women and Child Development by the respective State Police.
The govt advised to extend all possible cooperation during inter-state rescue operations, to ensure proper provision of availability of food, clothes, medical-aid, professional translators, psychiatrists and shelter homes for rehabilitation/reintegration well before the rescue operation and to ensure that such operations are conducted in strict compliance of the existing legal provisions.
