Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has called for stronger collaboration among the Northeastern states to address child trafficking, online exploitation, substance abuse, child marriage and other cross-border threats affecting children. He said many of these challenges transcend state boundaries and require a coordinated regional response.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the North East State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) Convention 2026 in Tawang on July 31, Khandu described the gathering as the first forum bringing together all State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights from across the region. He expressed confidence that the convention would improve coordination in tracing missing and trafficked children, strengthen enforcement of child protection laws, promote the exchange of best practices and enhance responses to emerging digital threats.
The chief minister said the true measure of governance lies in how effectively it safeguards vulnerable children rather than in economic or infrastructural achievements. He stressed that every child should have access to a safe environment, quality education, healthcare, nutrition and equal opportunities.
Highlighting Arunachal Pradesh’s child welfare initiatives, Khandu said the state has spent more than Rs 38 crore under the Dulari Kanya Scheme, benefiting over 15,500 girls pursuing higher education. He added that more than 134 awareness programmes had been organised under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign, while Rs 3.3 crore has been earmarked under the Girls Health & Hygiene Scheme for 2026-27 to provide sanitary napkins to more than 25,000 beneficiaries.
He also outlined measures aimed at improving maternal and child health, stating that over 38,000 beneficiaries have received assistance through the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, while nutrition programmes currently cover more than 34,000 people. Under Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, support is being extended to over 1.8 lakh women and children, with 152 Anganwadi centres upgraded and another 125 under development through the Adopt an Anganwadi initiative.
On child protection, Khandu said Mission Vatsalya is assisting more than 2,500 vulnerable children, while 2,479 children receive a monthly assistance of Rs 4,000 under sponsorship, foster care and aftercare schemes. He also highlighted the availability of the 24×7 Child Helpline 1098, Women Helpline 181 and One Stop Centres across all 25 districts of the state.
Emphasising that child protection is a collective responsibility, the chief minister urged schools, families, law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, healthcare workers, community leaders and civil society organisations to work together to create a secure environment for children. He said the success of the two-day convention should ultimately be judged by the positive impact it delivers in the lives of children rather than by the number of deliberations held.
A souvenir commemorating the North East SCPCR Convention was released during the inaugural session. The event is being chaired by Women and Child Development Minister Dasanglu Pul and has brought together representatives of state child rights commissions, national institutions, government officials and civil society organisations from across the Northeast.
