Establishment of Child-Friendly Cells Under Seven Police Stations In Pune

Pune, 17th August 2023: In a significant step towards prioritizing the welfare of children, Pune Police has inaugurated child-friendly cells within seven police stations.

The formal launch of these child-friendly cells at Samarth, Mundhwa, Kondhwa, Wanwadi, Marketyard, Bibvewadi, and Hadapsar police stations took place on Tuesday (15th August) under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Retesh Kumaarr and Joint Commissioner of Police Sandeep Karnik. These cells aim to provide care, support, and counseling to children affected by legal conflicts through collaboration with various voluntary organizations.

The pioneering initiative of setting up child-friendly cells commenced with the establishment of the first Child Friendly Cell at Lashkar Police Station in the state. Subsequently, Pune Police’s Bharosa Cell and the Hope for the Children organization have collectively strived to ensure justice for minors by establishing children’s cells across various police stations.

In line with this commitment, child-friendly cells have been launched at Samarth, Mundhwa, Kondhwa, Wanwadi, Marketyard, Bibvewadi, and Hadapsar police stations, commemorating Independence Day.

Commissioner of Police Ritesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Police Sandeep Karnik, Additional Commissioners Pravin Kumar Patil and Ranjan Sharma, DCP Sandeep Singh Gill, ACP Ashwini Rakh, ACP Ashok Dhumal, Senior Police Inspectors Suresh Shinde, Vishnu Tamhane, and Anita More, along with Sangita Jadhav and Caroline Audoir de Valter from the Hope for Children Foundation, were present at the inauguration event.

The collaborative effort between Pune Police Commissionerate and the Hope for the Children Foundation NGO has led to the establishment of child friendly cells in 23 police stations. These cells are designed to focus on counseling children who have been impacted by legal conflicts. The primary aim is to facilitate their rehabilitation by providing vocational training through various voluntary organizations.

Commissioner of Police Retesh Kumaarr emphasized the redressal of children’s grievances through these Child-Friendly Cells. He also highlighted the police’s dedication to counseling those involved in cases of crimes against minors. This commitment is further supported by the appointment of Child Welfare Police Officers in all police stations.