Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru. Jan 17: In the state of Karnataka, 49,000 cases of POCSO incidents and 240 cases of suicides among adults have been reported in the last two years, according to Naganna Gowda, the chairman of the Child Protection Commission, who revealed this during a press meet.

Despite existing laws against child marriage, corporal punishment, and child labour, there is a notable lack of comprehensive information on these issues, particularly in the district of Dakshina Kannada, where POCSO incidents have caused significant concern.

The urgent need for community awareness about child marriage is emphasized, with a call for educating parents and children about the potential consequences. Comprehensive documentation of cases is deemed crucial for holding individuals accountable, particularly in instances involving the untimely death of a girl child in the context of child marriage, highlighting issues of family exploitation.

Concerns about suicides among students are raised, emphasizing that these are often linked to institutional pressures. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these cases, necessitating a clear differentiation from natural deaths. The focus is urged to shift towards guiding children away from excessive mobile usage and providing emotional support, rather than resorting to punitive measures in schools.

Collaboration among parents, teachers, and families is deemed essential to prevent dropouts and address extreme cases. Stricter actions against child labour are called for to curb exploitation. Public awareness campaigns are identified as crucial tools for safeguarding children's rights and disseminating knowledge about existing laws related to child protection to students, parents, and the general public.