GUWAHATI: A team from the Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, led by Deba Kumar Kalita, IAS, the acting Chairperson, along with members Ajoy Kumar Dutta and Phanindra Bujar Baruah, and Technical Consultant Nandinee Das, conducted a visit to Bongaigaon district.
This visit was prompted by a complaint filed against Dhanjit Choudhury, the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) of Bongaigaon, by Mokibul Islam, a reporter for an Assamese newspaper.
Islam's complaint encompassed several allegations against the DCPO, including allegations of mistreatment of children and their guardians, as well as accusations of bribery. The bribery complaint had already been registered at the District Commissioner's office in Bongaigaon.
Upon their visit, the team from the Assam State Commission for Child Rights summoned all the complainants to the Conference Hall at the Circuit House in Bongaigaon. The team listened to their grievances regarding the conduct of the DCPO in the district. In addition to the existing complainants whose details were submitted to the Commission, new complainants also came forward during the inquiry.
To ensure a comprehensive assessment of the situation, the team sought the perspectives of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), officials from the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), and staff at the registered children's home, Birjhara. As part of their ongoing investigation, the team has also summoned Choudhury to appear before the Commission.