MACR denounces juveniles' detention
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 20 2012:
Strongly denouncing the wrongful detention of three juveniles in custody in connection with the muder of Mangat Ram on February 14 at Sehlon village, the Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) has urged the State authority to immediately release them from custoday and produce them before the Juvenile Justice Board, Chandel.
According to a statement issued by Keisam Pradipkumar, Convenor of MACR, Master Shonkhopao (15), s/o Jamthong, Master Ngamminlun (17) s/o Jamthong, both from Sehlon village, and Master Tiljangam (17) s/o Thongsei of Wajang village were continuously detained in army and police custody in connection with the murder of a civil contractor Man Gat Ram on February 14 .
If the children are suspected to have committed any offence, they should have been placed under the charge of special juvenile police unit or designated police officer of the concerned police station, the statement maintained.
It added, they would be produced, as a rule, before the Juvenile Justice Board without any loss of time, but within a period of 24 hours of their arrest.
Citing Section 10 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 where keeping of children below 18 in police lock-up or jail is prohibited, the MACR alleged that the three children have been kept overnight in the custody of 36 AR and later in police custody till date.
It further alleged that the detention of the three children in custody amounts to violation of the existing legal norms of juvenile justice system.
It urged the State authority to immediately release the three juveniles from police custody and produce them before the Juvenile Justice Board, Chandel district without further delay.