Anti-bullying awareness week kicks off at NN Nagi School

DIMAPUR — The inaugural programme of ‘Anti-bullying awareness week and campaign’ organised by NN Nagi School in collaboration with Commissioner of Police and Juvenile Justice Board, Dimapur, was held at NN Nagi School, Kuda village ‘A’, on Monday.

The campaign themed ‘Kindness starts with you—use your voice, because preventing bullying is everyone responsibility’ will conclude on July 4.

Addressing the event as guest speaker, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Dimapur, Khekali Y Sema, emphasised that bullying is not the same as joking or teasing among friends: true friends stop when they see someone is hurt, but bullies continue and even enjoy the harm they cause.

Khekali outlined four common forms of bullying: physical, verbal, emotional, and cyberbullying. She also identified three key roles in bullying situations: the victim, the perpetrator, and the bystander.

She encouraged the victims, not stay silent but talk to their parents, teachers, counsellors, or even the police, as silence only gives power to the bully. She also urged bystanders to report incidents, stressing that their voice can make a difference.

The police officer went on to state that bullying can have long-term harm for individuals and others. She reassured that help is available through teachers, counsellors, police, and child protection systems like the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, encouraging victims to seek support before situations escalate.

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She also cautioned students that even minors can face legal repercussions for bullying, which can attract serious actions under laws like the Juvenile Justice Act, IT Act, and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), particularly in cases of cyberbullying.

Additionally, she stressed that gender-based bullying, particularly against girls, must be taken seriously, and urged victims to report incidents of body shaming, inappropriate comments, or online pressure without feeling shy or ashamed.

She reminded the gathering that even as students, their actions have consequences and bullying that causes fear, harm, or humiliation can lead to criminal charges.

Further, Khekali encouraged self-awareness through Freud’s concepts of Id, Ego, and Superego. “Inside all of us, within each person, there is a part that wants to fit in (id), a part that knows what's right (superego), and a part that helps us decide what to actually do (ego). In bullying situations, listen to your superego and let your ego guide you to do the right thing in a smart, safe way,” she added.

Teka Longkumer, member of the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) Dimapur, noted that while children under 18 can commit serious offenses like murder or sexual crimes, they are not taken to police stations. Instead, they're brought before the Juvenile Justice Board, which handles their cases.

He clarified that the Juvenile Justice Act focuses on rehabilitation, not punishment.

Longkumer stressed that repeated bullying is abuse, a punishable offense. He urged students to speak out against it, warning that failing to report such incidents can also have legal consequences. The law empowers children to voice their concerns, as no one deserves to feel unsafe.

He also suggested recognising and rewarding individuals who report bullying incidents, suggesting it would be a powerful incentive. He was of the view that organising such recognition events could significantly curb bullying in schools and communities.