Juvenile justice system deliberated
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 30, 2012: A one-day discussion programme on juvenile justice system was organised today at Hotel Imphal by the New Life Foundation, Bishnupur in association with Aangan Trust, Mumbai.

Giving key-note address of the discussion programme, New Life Foundation Bishnupur general secretary L Pishak highlighted the need for coordination among the Government, civil societies and NGOs for strengthening juvenile justice system in Manipur.

Even though Juvenile Justice Act has been enforced in Manipur, people are yet to get any worthwhile benefit from the Act.

In another word, the Act has not been implemented in letter and spirit.

Only when the Act is fully implemented and people are aware about it, justice can be delivered to children, Pishak said.

UNM's internal consultant OJ Meitei observed that Manipur is a conflict zone.

In such, children are made victims of the armed conflict and they are sometimes made child soldiers.

Taking serious note of the recent trend of child trafficking, OJ Meetei claimed that sick financial condition of Manipur, the failed systems of the Government etc are all symptoms of the conflict situation.

He also expressed serious concern that cases of child trafficking may rise multiple times once the Look East Policy is implemented fully.

K Pradipkumar of the Manipur Alliance for Child Rights said that around 400 children of the State have been rescued from the scourge of child trafficking.

But it is a matter of concern that the rescued children could not be rehabilitated.

Most of the children homes operating in Manipur could not fully conform to the rules laid down by the Juvenile Justice Act.

One of the primary reason for this shortcoming is non release of funds in time by the Social Welfare Department, Pradipkumar said.

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