The office of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), South West Khasi Hills on August 26 conducted an awareness programme on NALSA (Child friendly Legal Services to children and their Protection) Scheme 2015 and Juvenile Justice (Care and protection of Children) Act 2015 at Rising Secondary School, Sohkhyllam, South West Khasi Hills.
D Sohtun, Chief Judicial Magistrate and Secretary DLSA, South West Khasi Hills said that the awareness programme was organised with a view to educate public as well as stakeholders on child’s rights and their protection on the available child protection services, schemes and structure at all levels.
“The NALSA (Child friendly Legal Services to children and their protection) Scheme 2015 envisage the basic rights and benefits that should be afforded to children and to make them understand the importance of their rights as enshrined under the constitution and various laws such as Child Marriage Restraint Act, Child Labour Prohibition Act, Juvenile Justice Act, POCSO Act, etc,” Sohtun said.
She also highlighted the need for children’s rights and its constitutional provision and policies of the government in safeguarding and protecting the rights of children.
Speaking on the occasion, S R Kharkongngor, District Child Protection Unit, South West Khasi Hills said that the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 has come into force from Jan 15,2016 and repeals the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000.
“The Act deals with the law relating to juveniles in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection by providing them with proper care ,protection and treatment by catering to their needs and by adopting a child friendly approach in the adjudication and disposition of matters in the best interest. The Act seeks to reduce crime committed by children between the ages of 16 and 18 It also specifies procedural safeguard in cases of children in conflict with law and seek to address the challenges in the existing act such as delay in adoption processes, high pendency of cases accountability of institution etc,” Kharkongor said.
The programme was chaired by K Wanniang, Headmaster of Rising Secondary School, Sohkhyllam.
