Guwahati, Nov 20: Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, Judge of Bombay High Court, has formally operationalized the functioning of the Assam Police Sishu Mitra Resource Centre (APSMRC) on the occasion of World Children’s Day today at the headquarter of the CID of Assam Police here in presence of Director General of Assam Police, Bhashkar Jyoti Mahanta,

The project, Assam Police Sishu Mitra was launched by the Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on 1st October this year.

It may be mentioned that in 2019, the Assam Police in collaboration with UNICEF and UTSAH Child Rights Organization initiated a comprehensive Child-Friendly Policing Programme, with the aim of enhancing access to justice for children. This programme was launched by the Chief Minister of Assam in August 2019. After the launch several programmes were undertaken by the police including training on Child related Laws and Social Media Informative campaigns on Child Protection.

Assam Police Sishu Mitra Resource Center is a part of Sishu Mitra Programme. This Centre will provide technical assistance to Investigating Officers across the State to deal with child-related cases so as to ensure timely investigation and child friendly handling of cases as per Laws, Rules and Procedures. The Centre will also organize training programme for Police Officers across the State on regular basis. The Centre will assist in establishing linkages between the Police and the Social Welfare Department, Health Department, Labour Department, District Legal Services Authorities among others. Additionally, the Centre will facilitate counselling services for Police Officers for addressing issues of stress and anxiety.

Two Police Officers from CID and two Technical Experts from UTSAH Child Rights Organisation will jointly conduct the day-to-day affairs of the Centre.

ADGP (L&O) G.P. Singh, ADGP (A) Harmeet Singh, IGP (CID) Surendra Kumar, DIG(CID) Lachit Barua and other police officials were also present on the occasion.