Ampati,September 30: The 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. This was stated by Salmanpara MLA & Government Chief Whip W D Sangma 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 National Commission for Protection of Child Rights 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 Depqrtment, CDPOs DCPOs and stakeholders from the NGOs and citizens.
Sangma who arrived as the Chief Guest at the gathering 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, Sangma said that proper education should be ensured to every child because education is the foremost factor that can penetrate all barriers.
There is special concern when dealing with juvenile delinquents, Sangma stated and said that there was a need to identify and declare safe homes to keep them while they were being processed. He also emphasized that education for these delinquents be continued in these special homes as directed by the government. He later urged the participants to learn from the programme and utilize it to make the district a safer place for children to flourish in.
NCPCR Member Yashwant Jain who also spoke at the occasion 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). Such homes that are being run without prior notification to the JJB or Child Welfare Committee (CWC) is a punishable offence, he stated. Stressing on the need for parents to motivate their children in order to boost their self confidence and enable them to speak out for themselves, Jain urged all the participants to work together to create a safe and conducive atmosphere for children to thrive and flourish.
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.
The resource persons for the daylong awareness session were Legal cum Probation Officer, DCPU, Ampati, Tanya Derrinchi Marak, DCPO, East Garo Hills, Williamnagar, Junnichi K Marak, SCPCR Chairperson M Kharkongor, Labour Inspector Zikzak Development Block D Hajong, Rtd Jt Director of School Education & Literacy, Williamnagar Gautam Barman and SDM&HO, Ampati, Dr. Calvaryn R Mangma.
