To prevent child trafficking, follow due adoption process: Panel

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, June 4

While a number of Good Samaritans and voluntary social organisations are making sincere efforts to help Covid patients and their families, some unscrupulous elements are trying to use the situation to their advantage.

Notably, offers for adoption of Covid orphans are being circulated through online messages on various social media platforms.

However, sources in the government agencies concerned said such offers were illegal and might be a ploy of anti-social elements engaged in child trafficking. “Residents desirous of adopting a child should not respond to such illegal offers/messages and follow the due procedure for adoption,” said Beena Kaushik, a member of the District Child Welfare Committee (DCWC), Rohtak.

She said such offers could lead to the trafficking of small children and residents should not fall prey to such rackets.

DCWC chairperson Asha Ahuja warned that the residents who adopt children in an illegal manner would have to face legal repercussions.

She said if any resident knows about or comes across a child whose parents have died due to Covid, they should inform committee members, local police or administration. Information may also be given to the DCWC chairperson as well as members Beena Kaushik and Rachna Paliwal.

“The DCWC will take care of the child and ensure provision of his/her stay, education and other requirements,” the chairperson added.