Monitor News Bureau
Jammu, Nov 23: Juvenile Justice Committee, Supreme Court of India, Juvenile Justice Committee High Court of J&K in collaboration with Government of Jammu & Kashmir and supported by UNICEF today organized Third J&K Roundtable Conference on Implementation of Juvenile System in the Union Territories of J&K &Ladakh.
Chairperson, Supreme Court Committee on Juvenile Justice Deepak Gupta, Chief Justice High Court of J&K Justice Gita Mittal, Chairman, Juvenile Justice Committee High Court of J&K Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey, Justice Tashi Rabastan, Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Advocate General J&K D C Raina, Commissioner Secretary Social Welfare Manoj Dwivedi, IGP Jammu Mukesh Singh, Secretary Law Achal Sethi, Chief Child Protection UNICEF India Soledad Herrero, Secretary Juvenile Justice Committee Abdul Rashid Malik, large number of judicial officers of subordinate courts, members of Juvenile Justice Boards, member of District Child Welfare Committees, members of NGOs, social organizations and several other stakeholders participated in the conference.
The aim of the conference was to provide an opportunity to all the stakeholders involved in the process of protection of child rights especially those who deals with the children in conflict with the law and children needs care and protection. During the proceedings of the programme, emphasis was laid on strengthening the Juvenile Justice System with special focus on implementation of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children Act, 2015 in the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.
Presentations were made by key note speakers on progress made in implementation of the Act in light of recommendations and State Action Plan of 2018 Roundtable Conference. Besides, strengthening of the Juvenile Justice System and key features of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children Act 2015) was also discussed in detail.
Speaking during the inaugural session, Justice Deepak Gupta complimented the Juvenile Justice Committee, High Court of J&K, the Government and all the stakeholders for the work they have done with regard to the protection of child rights. He said that we have gathered here to discuss what all we can do for our children’s and the interests of children has to be foremost and rest all other things comes later.
He said with the shifting from State to Union Territory, the National Act is applicable here having and we might face are some challenges while implementing the new Juvenile Justice Act for protection of rights of children. Our efforts are always on to avoid the children’s getting their psyche damaged at a small age, if this happened the damage is difficult to get repaired leaving the child in trauma for whole of his/her life, he added.
Justice Deepak Gupta further said that if we want to have a society where all the children can live a happy life, then we must give them an opportunity to grow as normal child. Alternative care is one of the best examples to give positive atmosphere to the children’s, he added.
With regard to the functioning of Children Institutions, Justice Deepak Gupta said that all such institutions should be registered and strictly monitored by the Government. He also stressed on adopting effective Child Management Programme since the day child has joined the institution till the time he left the place.
Stressing on showing sensitivity to the requirements of the children’s is very important aspect and everyone involved in the process need to be sensitized about the meeting their requirements. Sensitive approach towards children’s is must if we want to do something good for them, Justice Deepak Gupta added.
He said that all who have gathered today has a positive role to play in sensitizing the people about the protection and guarantee the rights of children.
Chief Justice High Court J&K Gita Mittal while delivering her keynote address during the Third Roundtable Conference said that no matter, we all are putting serious efforts in ensuring dignified life to all the children’s but still lot more required to be done in this regard. We need to focus on generating more awareness on the topic and the children especially be made aware of their rights and how they can protect them.
She spoke about institutional care, strengthening the Juvenile Justice System, setting up of children courts, provision of funds from the government for effective implementation of the Act, infrastructural up-dation and other important aspects of Juvenile Justice System.
Chief Justice further said that psychological assistance should be provided to the children whenever required. She also said that the childcare institutions must be registered so that the government has a clear control over the activities happening there.
