Khliehriat, Sep 16 : A weeklong legal literacy campaign on protection of children from sexual offences, POCSO Act, 2012 began today from Cham Cham and Mukhaialong villages in East
Jaiñtia Hills district.
The campaign was organised by the Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority in collaboration with the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India.
Coordinator of the campaign Albert Lyngdoh said that the programmes were being organized to sensitize the public about the legal services and schemes and to ensure proper justice delivery system to all the citizens especially people in the villages.
Lyngdoh urged the gathering to approach the District Legal Services Authority at Khliehriat for matter relating to offences against children and women so that necessary action will be taken regarding the matter.
East Jaiñtia Hills District Session Judge G. Ranee in her speech stated that the POCSO Act protects children under 18 years of age from sexual offences. She informed that there are many registered cases under the POCSO Act in the district.
“No one has the right to harm or offend a child” she said. She urged parents and teachers in school to take proper care, to monitor their children and their behavior, to not discriminate them in case they face any such offences and to report the matter to the police station so that legal action can be taken against the offender.
Furthermore, she informed that POCSO can grant compensation under the POCSO Act and victims of other offences can claim
compensation through the DLSA. She also said that the compensation can be claimed by filing an application of compensation to the DLSA office. She also briefed about compensations in cases of murder, accidents or any other offences.
District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Secretary T.T.M Sangma spoke about the functions and responsibilities of the District Legal
Services Authority.
He informed that under 39(a) of the Constitution of India free legal aid is ensured and stated that under section 12 of the National Legal Service Authority Act 1987, among others all Scheduled
Tribes, Scheduled Caste, women and economically challenged are entitled to free legal aid. The DLSA aims at providing the citizens free Legal aid for Civil or Criminal cases including other matters such as bank related matters etc”, he added.
Among others who also spoke during the awareness programme are E. Shylla, Advocate, who gave a presentation on the POCSO Act, 2012, and B.M Sangma, Judicial Magistrate First Class, who spoke about the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015.
It may also be mentioned that this week long awareness programme will be also be conducted in different parts of the District in the coming days.
