A State Level Consultation with Child Protection Service Providers was conceptualised by CINI as part of the Missing Child Alert Project which is operational in 10 cross-border districts in West Bengal. It is used as a platform for facilitating learning and sharing among three key actors – West Bengal State Legal Services Authority (WBSLSA) and its district bodies (District Legal Services Authority), District Child Protection Officers (DCPOs) and Child Welfare Committees (CWCs). The consultation witnessed significant participation with representatives from WBSLSA and DLSAs, DCPOs and CWC members from the ten districts covered under the MCA project and Kolkata. The presence of the Chairperson of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights,Mr Ashokendu Sengupta, Honourable Justice from the Kolkata High Court, Mr Joymlaya Bagchi, senior functionaries from the Department of Women and Child Development Government of West Bengal (GoWB), such as Assistant Director, Mr Indushekhar Chatterjee and Deputy Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development, Mr.Bedanga Biswas enriched the proceedings. Other distinguished speakers such as Additional Director General of Police, GoWB, Mr Adhir Sharma, IPS and the Officer in Charge, Anti Human Trafficking Unit, CID ,Ms Sarbari Bhattacharya also provided unique insights. Partner organisations in the MCA project also participated. This consultation paved the way to build on available knowledge and practice through reflections on capacities and systems within the state and help evolve a collective roadmap. The consultation also paved the way for convergent action among DCPO, SLSA and CWC s so that the missing and trafficked children are able to get access to justice and free legal aid.
