Panel to safeguard students from abuse planned

KOCHI: Aimed at providing security to all the schoolchildren from child trafficking and sexual abuse, the state police will form ‘School Protection Groups’ (SPG) in all the schools in the state.DGP Jacob Punnoose has issued a directive to all the police officers concerned to form the SPG in the schools with the participation of teachers, local people and the students.In a circular, the DGP suggested that wherever possible the District Police chiefs must take initiative to form the SPGs. This will be purely a voluntary effort. The proposal to form the SPG was mooted to ensure the safety of the children, to curb the tendency for juvenile delinquency and to protect children from falling preys to illegal activities.The circular said that the SPG of each school might be chaired by either the head of the institution or the president of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). The convener of the SPG can be the local Station House Officer and the joint convener may be a police officer designated by the SHO. The other members of the group may consist of ward member/ward councillor, school student leader, two parents, two teachers, a merchant of the locality, an auto driver, a representative of the Jagaratha Samiti or the SPC and a few residents of the area. The SPGs will take action to ensure traffic safety in and around the school area. It will co-ordinate various activities to collect and communicate information regarding the sale of drugs and narcotic substances, pornographic material, tobacco products, pan masala and alcoholic beverage on the school premises.The SPGs will a keep tab on the persons who befriend the students with a view to exploit them for illegal or immoral activities. The district police chiefs will also seek the help of the civic bodies and the Education Department officials in this endeavour.