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Street children give suggestions on lowering of age of juveniles

By FnF Correspondent | PUBLISHED: 29, Oct 2015, 16:04 pm IST | UPDATED: 29, Oct 2015, 16:07 pm IST

 Street children give suggestions on lowering of age of juveniles New Delhi: Children are slipping into crime in cities like Delhi. The Government is advocating for reducing age of juvenile where children on streets have different perspective to share. Badthe Kadam is a federation of Street and Working children. They are disturbed with the government's insensitive proposals.

The members discussed possible ways and opinion on age reduction issues. 'We have interviewed more then 40 children and youths, and showed them the advertisement of Delhi government where they have asked for public opinion' said Sanno, 21 years old, child labor survivor and adviser of federation.

14 years old Afsar (name changed), a rag picker from station asked 'Does reduction of age solve the problem? Can government take guarantee that no crime will be committed if age is reduced"?

16 years old Goverdhan (name changed) a casual labor in marriage parties said 'Yes, we know children do committ crime, but has government made enough efforts to know the reasons? Let the Government address those reasons first and then think of changing the age'.

12 years old Aarti (name changed) who works as rag picker in Lajpat Nagar Market says, 'I live in Khadar, a resettlement colony, where everyday we hear that a body of girl is found in local drain, probably raped, can we get some light and presence of police chauki in these areas'?

16 year old Jyoti, who leads Badthe Kadam as National Secretory says, 'this is a social problem and solution needs to be from social angle. Lowering of age, may not be a solution, as adults are behind pushing children into crime.'

18 years old Chandani, who is a reporter of Street Children newspaper called Balaknama, says 'case of any such child, who gets into crime, needs to be examined specifically, as reasons may differ. Blanket decisions will not be a good idea.'

16 years old Afsana (name changed), a toy seller in Lajpat Nagar says, 'police can play important role in keeping children away from such crime. Let them organize meeting with children little frequently.'

'We understand that Delhi Government is calling a meeting of adults and taking opinion, can they also call children and youth, asked Sanno.

'The issue of children slipping into crime is really a concern, and it is responsibility of Government, Civil Society and other stakeholders to look into the issue as soon as possible and ensure that children and youth are being provided good engagement plans on daily basis so as to prevent them slipping into crime, said Sanjay Gupta Director Childhood Enhancement through Training and Action (CHETNA) NGO.