Workshop on Implementation of POCSO Act, 2012 and Juvenile Justice

18th February, 2016

A “One Day State Level Workshop on Implementation of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 and Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015” was held at the Imperial Hall of Classic Grande, Imphal, Manipur on 18th February, 2016.

A total number of 175 participants took part in the workshop. Participants includes Secretaries and Directors of Social Welfare, School Education, Hr Education, Health & Family Welfare, Labour, Law Department, District Session Judge and Special Judges of POCSO, District Magistrates, Magistrate of JJB, Superintendent of Police, Chairpersons and Members of Child Welfare Committee, Programme Manager/Officer SARA, Officers of State HQ ICPS Cell, District Social Welfare Officers, District Programme Officers, District Child Protection Officers and other staffs of ICPS, Chief Medical Officers of Districts, Medical Officers of JNIMS and RIMS, Zonal Education Officers, Manipur Alliance for Child Rights/CRY, civil societies and NGO’S.

The Hon’ble Chairperson of Manipur SCPCR, Shri. S SaratKumar Sharma welcomed the dignitaries, guest, participants, press and electronic media of the workshop and gave the keynote address. He spoke on various laws and provisions on protection of Child rights as well as the role and functions of the Commission. He emphasized the role of police department, Judiciary and media in particular who play one of the vital roles in such matters. He said that the idea of setting up separate court is that of Socio-Legal Rehabilitation and Reformation and not Punishment.

The end is to hold a child culpable for their criminal activities not through punishment, but counseling the child to understand their action and persuade them away from criminal activities in future. He also stated that the Manipur SCPCR has started preparatory work for the formulation of a Manipur State Child Protection Policy in partnership with CRY and MACR. The same is going to be submitted to the State Govt. in the middle of March 2016 for their approval.

The workshop was chaired by Hon’ble Minister (SW) Km. AK Mirabai Devi. She thanked Smt. Stuti Kacker, Hon’ble Chairperson NCPCR, New Delhi for entrusting the MCPCR to organize this workshop and sponsoring the programme and hopes to support other grey areas. She spoke on the various roles and achievements of MCPCR, CWC’S, JJB’S and DCPU’S in the protection child rights and issues in the state. She believed that the Manipur SCPCR will help to achieve a child violence free environment in the state.

The Hon’ble Chairperson of Assam SCPCR, Smt. Runumi Gogoi, who was the Guest of Honour spoke on the challenges faced in Assam while implementing POCSO and JJ Act. The workshop was presided as President by Shri. S.K. Dev Verman, Principal Secretary (SW). He spoke on the need of co-ordinated role of stakeholders such as Police Department, CWC’S, Public Prosecutors and Special Judges on solving cases related to POCSO & JJ Act, 2015 and any child violation issues/cases.

He also emphasized on the need of public sensitivity on the victim. He appeal to the public and media for co-operation and support in keeping the integrity of the child and to avoid minor children in public propaganda/issues and political activities. Shri Clay Khongsai, IG (Zone-I), who was the Guest of Honour spoke on the roles of police personnels in the protection of child rights. He said that police personnels of the state have been given strict orders to take up any child related cases immediately and to provide co-operation to CWC’S and DCPU’S and all interested parties in solving cases.

Shri.Arun Mathur, Hon’ble Chairperson Delhi, SCPCR who was the Resource person spoke on the topic “Critical overview of POCSO Act”. He also spoke on the issues and challenges faced by Delhi SCPCR in the implementation of these acts in Delhi. Shri. A. Guneshwor Sharma, District Session Judge Thoubal, Resource person, spoke elaborately on the issues and challenges faced in Manipur while implementing POCSO Act. He also stated that as per section 23 of the POCSO Act the revelation of the identity without having complete and authentic information or disclosure of identity by any media without specific directions from the competent court is punishable with imprisonment and fine. Advocate Shri. TH.Rajkishore Singh, who was the Resource person share his views on the “Issues and Challenges in Implementing JJ Act in Manipur”.

Child Welfare Officer, Dept. of SW, Smt. N. Binobala Devi delivered the Vote of Thanks. She specially thanked Hon’ble Minister of Social Welfare, Km. AK. Mirabai Devi, for her time and effort from her busy schedule. She also thanked the Chairperson of Delhi SCPCR, Chairperson of Assam SCPCR, Chairperson of Manipur SCPSR and Principal Secretary, Manipur for their efforts in organizing and making the workshop a success. She thanked National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, (NCPCR) for sponsoring the workshop. Finally, she thanked all participants coming from Valley and Hill Districts of the state and making the workshop a grand success.

(SK Sharma)
Chairperson, Manipur SCPCR