ITANAGAR, 13 Aug: The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR) has initiated formal follow-up action on the 'Tawang Declaration on Child Rights, 2026' and the convention resolution unanimously adopted at the Northeast SCPCR convention on child rights held in Tawang recently.

As the host of the convention, the APSCPCR has initiated formal communication with the ministries concerned of the central government, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the respective governments of all eight Northeastern states, forwarding the Tawang Declaration and convention resolution for their consideration and appropriate policy, administrative, institutional and programme-level action within their respective mandates.

The APSCPCR has also initiated department-wise follow-up in the state, including communications to the chief secretary and the departments concerned on the recommendations falling within their respective mandates.

The state-level follow-up includes important recommendations previously made by the APSCPCR. This included consideration of state-specific anti-bullying and anti-ragging legislation, proposed as the HERO Act; effective implementation of Section 12(l)(c) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009; inclusion of children with special needs (CwSNs) under CMAAY and consideration of waiver of the mandatory hospitalisation requirement for essential non-hospital-based treatment and therapies; strengthening healthcare, therapeutic and rehabilitation services for CwSNs; provision of dedicated and adequate medical support/funding for CNCPs and CCLs residing in child care institutions; strengthening implementation of Mission Vatsalya; statewide assessment and district-wise mapping of child care institutions; ensuring adequate children's homes, observation homes and other appropriate CCIs, particularly in remote, tribal, border and geographically difficult districts; strengthening measures against child trafficking and child labour; and strengthening child online safety and protection from emerging forms of digital exploitation.

The APSCPCR expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Pema Khandu for his continued support, encouragement and guidance towards the initiative.

"The support of the Arunachal Pradesh government enabled the APSCPCR to bring together the eight Northeastern state commissions on a common platform in Tawang for the first regional convention of its kind," the commission said.

The initiative has provided an important foundation for continued regional cooperation, exchange of best practices and collaborative action on child rights, and has strengthened the role of Arunachal in championing child protection and welfare in the Northeastern region, the commission further said.

APSCPCR Chairperson Ratan Anya stated that the Tawang Declaration should not remain only a document adopted at a convention, but should serve as a living regional framework for coordinated action to ensure that children across the Northeastern region are protected, heard, included and given every opportunity to grow with dignity and security.