Sensitisation prog on POCSO, Child Marriage held
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, March 31 2023:
Under the auspices of Imphal East DC, Imphal East District Child Protection Unit, Department of Social Welfare organised a sensitisation programme on POCSO Act, 2012 and Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 at Shinshuba Shanglen, Bashikhong on Friday.
Delivering the presidential speech of the function, Imphal East District Child Marriage Prohibition officer Chongtham Roshan Kha-Nganba, who is also DCPU legal-cum-Probation officer, said that if the public do not avail benefit of the various awareness programmes conducted by the department concerned on POCSO and Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, the initiative taken up by the department would be fruitless: The programme has been conducted to impart awareness to the public so as to help reduce cases of sexual assault and child marriage in the state.
He further informed that under the said Acts, a person committing related crimes can be imprisoned for life.
The public should also understand that even an individual taking part in a marriage ceremony of a minor is punishable.
Therefore, there is the need for every individual to be well aware of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.Reminding the gathering that acting against the provisions of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 is a non-bailable and cognizable offence, he said that a boy below the age of 21 years and a girl below 18 years cannot marry under the Act.
He further informed that during his term as a Child Marriage Prohibition Officer in Imphal East, he had managed to prevent at least 11/12 cases of child marriage.
He also urged all to inform of any such cases of child marriage.
The programme was attended by Bashikhong GP pradhan N Binolata as chief guest while Meira Association Club Bashikhong vice president Ibopishak, DCPU Imphal East protection officer (Non Institutional Care) Sushma Elangbam and Imphal East CWC member advocate Soibam Hemanta were present as special guests.