Photo Courtesy: nenow
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu demanded regional action against child trafficking and digital threats on July 31. He spoke at the inaugural North East State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Convention 2026 in Tawang. The event marks the first time all eight Northeastern states gathered to unify their child welfare policies.
Khandu emphasized that rhetoric fails children. Policy must work on the ground. "Conferences do not protect children. Speeches do not protect children. Implementation does," Khandu said. He urged officials to focus on rescuing trafficked minors, reuniting missing children with families, and keeping girls in school.
Regional boundaries often hide cross-border risks like substance abuse and online exploitation. The Chief Minister expects this two-day summit to improve inter-state tracking of missing children and strengthen the enforcement of child safety laws.
Arunachal Pradesh reported significant welfare metrics during the session. The state has invested Rs 38 crore into the Dulari Kanya Scheme, benefiting 15,500 girls. Additionally, 1.8 lakh women and children receive support through Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. Over 2,500 children receive aid via Mission Vatsalya. Another 2,479 children get Rs 4,000 in monthly assistance through foster care and sponsorship programs. The state currently utilizes the 1098 Child Helpline and operates One Stop Centres across all 25 districts.
Minister Dasanglu Pul chairs the convention. Other attendees included Advisor to the Home Department Mutchu Mithi, Advisor to the Women and Child Development Department Tsering Lhamu, and Tawang MLA Namgey Tsering. A commemorative souvenir was released to mark the start of the event.
Khandu called on schools, law enforcement, and civil society to share the burden. Protecting vulnerable youth remains a collective duty. Officials must prioritize tangible results over discussion to ensure every child access to nutrition, education, and safety.
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