An orientation programme on various child related issues was held at the Observation Home (Boys) in Mawkasiang, New Shillong organised by the Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority in collaboration with the Office of the District Child Protection Officer, East Khasi Hills District yesterday.
The programme covered the Juvenile Justice Act (2015), Role of Child Welfare Committee, Role of Juvenile Justice Board, Role of Special Juvenile Police Unit, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (2012) and other issues on occasion of Pan India Awareness & Outreach Programme as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Meghalaya High Court Judge, Justice H.S. Thangkhiew attended the programme as the chief guest and spoke on the principles on which the Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015 was enacted, role of Juvenile Justice Board, Child Welfare Committee, the Special Juvenile Police Unit, the Court and society.
Various provisions relating to the protection of children from sexual offences act was also touched upon. While reminding the participants of the robust infrastructure in Shillong relating to Child care institutions the participants were encouraged to diligently work towards the proper implementation of the provisions of the acts and to create awareness.
The Resource Persons for the orientation programme were T.T.M. Sangma (MJS), Officer on Special duty, MSLSA; D. K. Shadap (MJS), Principal Magistrate, Juvenile Justice Board; S. Das, Additional Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills; Matti L. Warjri, District Child Protection Officer, District Child Protection Unit; V. Malngiang, Programme Manager, SARA and Truman Basaiawmoit, Psychologist, MIMHANS, Shillong.
The other topics covered during the programme were Adoption, Understanding Child Psychology, Role of functionaries of the Child Care Institutions and the role of the media.
Among others present was D.D. Shira, Director Social Welfare, E.F.N. Kharbhih, Superintendent, Children Home (Girls) and C. Malngiang, Legal-Cum Probation Officer, District Child Protection Unit, East Khasi Hills District.
