Workshop on Child Rights organised
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 09 2011:
All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA) and Coalition on Children's Right to Protection jointly organised a one day session on 'Juvenile Justice System in Manipur' at the Jubilee Library Hall, Cheirap Court Complex here today.
With All Manipur Lady Advocates' Association president Sumitra Kamei, AMBA president A Indrakumar and former All Manipur Bar Association president Kh Mani Singh presided over the session, which commenced with the release of a poster on anti-child trafficking.
speaking on 'role of Judiciaries in the implementation of Juvenile Judiciary System in Manipur', High Court Bar Association vice president C Dhananjoy contended that Juvenile Justice Act 1986 is no longer feasible.
Noting that india with a population of 20 crore juveniles witnesses crimes committed by these youngsters and the matter gets complicated as they are unaware of laws applicable to their age-group, he suggested that proper understanding that application of Juvenile Justice Act by the law enforcing agencies could prevent problem of abuse of law.
Stating that a juvenile could be arrested and rectified under the Act, Dhananjoy also expressed resentment that in Manipur the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act rarely comes into effect consequently resulting in a guilty juvenile sent to jails meant for the adult.
On the otherhand, Member Secretary of the Association K Pradeep Kumar speaking on 'Role of CWCs in JJ system and Child Rights issues', said the system was introduced in Europe in the mid 18th century in order to clearly define the difference between adult judiciary and laws to reign in juveniles from deviating from societal norms.
Elaborating that inspite of its introduction in India in 1986 certain amendment in the JJ Act in 2000 provided a semblance of uniformity as the same Act in its original form did not cover delinquency or pity criminal acts, he maintained and explained that the amended statute encompassed counselling of the guilty youth in addition to ensuring involvement of women legal practitioners in case the matter involved female juveniles.
Noting widespread presence of CWCs in Manipur, Pradeep Kumar opined that the CWCs have a vital role to play to check child trafficking as had been witnessed in the State of Manipur.