Number of kids rescued by JAPU falls

While the Juvenile Aid and Protection Unit (JAPU) of Mumbai Police has rescued over 1,400 children in the past six months, data shows that there has been an eight per cent decrease in the number of rescued children this year as compared to last year.

According to data available on the Mumbai police website, between January 1, 2016 and June 12, 2016, 1,463 children were traced by JAPU whereas during the same period last year, 1,588 children were traced. Sources said that while the number of rescued children had reduced, the department had started various initiatives to trace and rescue children. JAPU, which comes under the enforcement wing of Mumbai Police, deals with children found begging, engaged in child labour and cases registered under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

In a bid to increase the number of children rescued and directly reach out to police stations, the department recently conducted a weeklong drive from June 6 to June 12, of which, World Day against Child Labour was a part. “In this drive, in a week, we rescued nearly 236 children from various locations. Of these, 61 were found begging and 175 had been illegally employed at establishments in the city,” said an officer.

During this week, police also moved investigation of such cases to police stations in the city. As per the new directive, JAPU would only be a monitoring unit. “All cases pertaining to child labour and child begging will now be handled by police stations. These include registration of offences, tracing children, rescuing them and relocating them,” the officer said. JAPU would only deal with special cases, if any.

The move was implemented during the weeklong drive and sources informed that police stations in certain zones responded very well. Police stations like Pydhonie, Gamdevi and Girgaum which come under zone 2 of Mumbai Police recorded the highest number of rescues, with 53 children rescued and 46 people arrested in a week.

“Police can now directly start the investigation and rescue process in such cases. This will save time and manpower,” the officer added.