Mobile connectivity is yet to reach some remote areas of West Singhbhum district in Jharkhand, covered mostly with dense forests. As a result, these areas remain mostly cut off from the mainland. The lack of access to administrative authorities has given rise to criminal activities, and child trafficking is one of them. Realising the gravity of the situation, the state government has decided to set up mobile network towers in 24 locations of the area and private operators have been roped in. The aim is to increase awareness about child rights with outreach programmes with the help of mobile connectivity. Speaking to Indian Masterminds, Deputy Commissioner Ananya Mittal outlined the steps taken up by the administration to stop child trafficking in the district.
BROADENING CONNECTIVITY
Deputy Commissioner of West Singbhum district, Mr. Ananya Mittal informed that there are areas with dense forests where mobile connectivity has not still reached. However, these areas are set to enter the network map soon with the entry of private operators. “Some private companies have applied to build mobile towers in 24 different locations through an online portal. The required NOCs have been provided to these private firms online by the concerned departments,” he said.
He further informed that in a recent telecom meeting, the district administration reviewed the process to speed up the work. The towers will be built in remote areas like Sonua, Manoharpur, Kumardungi etc. “This initiative will definitely have a positive impact on the people living there, as they will be able to connect with the district administration directly through various digital mediums,” he said.
COLLECTIVE FIGHT AGAINST CHILD TRAFFICKING
The commissioner also highlighted the ‘Sarkar Apke Dwar’ programme, through which the district administration is addressing important issues like child trafficking. He said, “We collaborated with an NGO to create the posts of master trainers who are generally primary or middle school teachers. As school were shut during the pandemic, we sensitized people on issues related to child rights with the help of these trainers.”
He explained the whole procedure. The district administration in convergence with the District Child Protection Office attaches master trainers with block level NGOs. The trainers are then allocated their respective blocks. There are 18 blocks in West Singhbhum district alone, and various Sevika, Sahayika, Manki-Munda, Thana Prabhari, and other workers have been employed and accordingly sensitized on child rights.
As the district has a history of child trafficking, Mr. Mittal says, “this is our attempt to reach out to people and inform them about child rights. We also suggest remedies if they face anything related to child trafficking.”
The officer also informed that this is a collective effort of many stakeholders that includes the district administration and several NGOs. “With the joint efforts of everyone, we hope to prevent crimes against children in every block and panchayat of the district,” he said.
