'Children insulated from abuse and exploitation'

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, Sept 30: “Children in Meghalaya as compared to those in other states are still insulated from abuse and exploitation but however they are none the less susceptible to it without a proper safeguarding mechanism,” said Salmanpara MLA and Government Chief Whip W D Sangma.  He said this at a district level awareness programme on Juvenile Justice Act 2015 and child rights organized by the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) in collaboration with the tiol Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) at Ampati on Friday.

 The programme was attended by Deputy Commissioner in charge ADC Hazel D B Sangma, Superintendent of Police, Ramesh Singh, officers from the Police, Social Welfare Department, CDPOs, DCPOs and stakeholders from the NGOs and citizens.

Sangma thanked the NCPCR and its member Yashwant Jain who was also present for showing concern and coming all the way from Delhi to attend the awareness programme.

Emphasizing on the need to educate the masses on the subject, Sangma stated that it was imperative for all stakeholders to know the new and amended Juvenile Justice Act 2015. Speaking on the Right to Education (RTE) Act, he said that proper education should be ensured to every child because education is the foremost factor that can penetrate all barriers.

NCPCR member Yashwant Jain stated that it was their duty to spread awareness right down to the grass root level on laws that have been passed by the government of India for the protection of child rights. Elaborating on the amended Juvenile Justice Act 2015, Child Protection & Child Rights, Jain informed that it was mandatory to keep any child who has committed a heinous crime in a safe home identified and declared by the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB).

Later while visiting the Girls Shelter Home at Ampati and Boys Shelter Home at Bolsalgre near here, Jain urged the staff to dedicate their spare time and to utilize these infrastructures as centre for learning and spreading awareness on the subject since the inmates housed there are few and far between.

Among others who spoke at the occasion were SCPCR Chairperson M Kharkongor SCPCR Member Henriata R Marak and District Social Welfare Officer Linda J Sangma.