Students made aware on POCSO Act
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 31 2022:
Under the supervision of National Legal Services Authority (NLSA), District Legal Services Authority, Imphal West and Manipur State Legal Services Authority jointly organised a one-day legal awareness programme on 'POCSO Act, 2012' at Heritage Convent, Uripok Bachaspati Leikai on Monday.
Speaking at the programme, Imphal West district and sessions judge Aribam Guneshwar Sharma informed that POCSO Act, 2012 has provisions to ensure punishment of those indulging in sexual offences against people below 18 years of age after due trial.
Though it is a powerful Act, there is some contradiction in the context of traditions and customary practices in Manipur, he said and pointed out that as the Act doesn't cover elopement of underage people there are instances of misusing the Act.
While reminding that marriage of male below 21 years and female below 18 years is illegal according to the law, he suggested that if parents and advocates want to restrict child marriage then they should refer to Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 instead of POCSO Act.
According to Investigative Units for Crime against Women (IUCAW), Imphal West additional SP Rattana Ngasepam, POCSO Act was passed to give protection to children as the crime rate against women and children is very high in the country.
Every stakeholder has the responsibility to ensure proper protection to children, she said and stressed the importance for school authorities and teachers to protect and make the students' aware about POCSO Act.
Further stating that sexual offence may occur not only to girls but to boys also, Rattana reiterated that every child should be made known about the wrong acts.
The awareness programme was also attended by Imphal West chief judicial magistrate and DLSA secretary Janggoulen Haokip and LMS Law College lecturer Chongtham Momon as resource persons.