By Mussa Tumaily

VOL DESK , December 20, 2024: Advocate Haji Mustafa addressed the media today, shedding light on critical legal concerns surrounding the operation of residential hostels in Ladakh. He emphasized that many hostels in the region are functioning without proper registration under the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) guidelines.

Advocate Mustafa expressed serious concerns over the Administration’s management of hostels for underprivileged children, stating that these hostels fail to comply with the mandatory norms set by the NCPCR and CBSE. He urged the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) of Ladakh to communicate with the Lieutenant Governor (LG) to ensure hostels operate in strict adherence to these guidelines.

* Click to Follow Voice of Ladakh on WhatsApp *

Citing rumors on social media about alleged POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) cases, Mustafa highlighted the absence of hostel registration with local police and the Social Welfare Department as a major legal loophole. He called for immediate accountability, requesting the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Kargil to investigate the matter and ensure compliance.

He further raised concerns regarding the recent inspection by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), which revealed that some private hostels accommodating minor girls were operating without proper registration. “The Administration must ensure that these hostels comply with legal standards to safeguard children’s welfare,” he stated.

Advocate Mustafa also criticized the poor academic outcomes of students in the 10th and 12th pre-board exams in these hostels, cautioning the Administration against “experimenting on the poor.” He demanded that the UT Administration organize a brainstorming session to enhance the implementation of CBSE standards for students.

In conclusion, he called for better sensitization, awareness, and training programs for law enforcement and welfare teams to prevent future POCSO cases and ensure the safety and well-being of all children in residential hostels across Ladakh.