convictions is despairingly low. The reason why the law has proved ineffective is because it is difficult to regulate all clinics that use ultrasound for sex determination as well as for a host of other purposes including detection of genetic abnormalities in the foetus. Its implementation needs to be improved upon. There is a need to plug the loopholes. That is where the Police needs to play a very effective role and contribute in the gender balancing drive in the country. As justice Bhagwati has rightly quoted “the child is a soul with a being, a nature and capacities of its own, who must be helped to find them, to grow into the maturity, into fullness on physical and vital energy and most breadth, depth and height of its emotional, intellectual and spiritual being”. E. Review Children have the same basic human rights as adults, but because of their age and vulnerability they need extra measures to protect them. They do not know the technicalities of life. The citizens in general and the police officers in particular must perform their duties and fulfil their responsibilities regarding them. They must be more than willing to protect the rights of the children. Children, especially young children, are sometimes ignorant of the fact that they are being abused or exploited. Whatever the appearances, police should not take it for granted that children are willing participants in crime, for example in prostitution - the child may have little choice, or become involved in the activity after being abused or exploited. Police must see the rehabilitation and re-socialisation of such children as the ultimate objective. Children should be protected against sexual exploitation and abuse. Police officers can play an important role in the protection of children. The state should take measures to protect children from being encouraged or forced to take part in any unlawful sexual activities or practices, prostitution, pornographic performances or material. The police should also assist the state in preventing children from being stolen or sold for any purposes like drug abuse, trafficking and labour. The police are legally and morally situated in an important role in this regard and need to see themselves as protectors of children and their rights as especially vulnerable persons.32 32 Please refer to Chapter on Protection of Children in NHRC’s Guidelines for Police Personnel on various Human Rights Issues Manual on Human Rights for Police Officers 51