KULGAM, OCTOBER 24: District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Kulgam, under the aegis of the Jammu and Kashmir Legal Services Authority, organised a Mega Legal Awareness Programme on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, at the Auditorium Hall of Government Degree College, Kulgam.
Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Judge, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, and Executive Chairman, Jammu & Kashmir Legal Services Authority, presided over the programme as the Chief Guest.
The programme commenced with the registration of participants and the arrival of dignitaries, followed by a Guard of Honour and the rendition of the National Song and the National Anthem.
Justice Sanjeev Kumar, in his address, emphasised the need to strengthen child protection mechanisms and ensure the effective implementation of the POCSO Act, 2012.
Stressing the importance of safeguarding the privacy, dignity and emotional well-being of child victims, he called for their concerns to be handled with utmost sensitivity at every stage. He also encouraged girls to come forward and raise their voices against abuse without fear or hesitation, underscoring the responsibility of the legal system and concerned institutions to ensure justice.
Furthermore, he highlighted the need to create awareness about the provisions of the Act in educational institutions and among officers and departments dealing with such cases and called for prompt action, better coordination among stakeholders and a child-friendly approach to ensure effective protection of children and timely delivery of justice.
Addressing the gathering, Aijaz Ahmed Khan, Principal District and Sessions Judge (Chairman, District Legal Services Authority), Kulgam, provided a detailed overview of the POCSO Act, 2012, highlighting its key provisions and the importance of ensuring effective legal protection for children and also underscored the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to stand by victims and extend the necessary assistance throughout the process.
This was followed by an address by Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Shahzad Alam who emphasised the importance of quality education, proper guidance and adequate exposure in ensuring the safety and overall development of children. He stressed that the provisions of the POCSO Act, 2012, must be implemented more effectively on the ground. Further emphasising a victim-centric approach, he called for ensuring that victims are not subjected to pressure or intimidation and receive appropriate support during difficult circumstances.
The technical sessions featured presentations by experts from different fields. Dr. Nadiya Muzaffar, Assistant Professor Sociology at Government Degree College Kulgam, spoke about child-friendly procedures and the rights of child victims under the Act. Subsequently, Mohd. Ayoub Rather, Dy. SP DAR and Nodal Officer of the Special Juvenile Police Unit, Kulgam, elaborated on the specific roles and responsibilities of the police and special courts in dealing with cases involving offences against children.
Adil Mushtaq Laway, Legal-cum-Probationary Officer at the District Child Protection Unit, Kulgam, highlighted the importance of mandatory reporting of sexual offences against children and the role of child protection mechanisms in safeguarding their rights.
Dr. Jahangeer Hussain, Consultant Paediatrician at District Hospital, Kulgam, spoke about the crucial responsibilities of medical professionals in handling cases of child sexual abuse, with particular emphasis on the sensitive and appropriate care of child victims.
The programme concluded with the closing remarks of Rafia Hassan, Additional Sessions Judge, Kulgam, followed by the rendition of the National Anthem.
Anayat Chowdary, SSP Kulgam, and Mohammad Abbas Shah, Principal, Government Degree College, Kulgam, were also present on the occasion.
