EMN
Dimapur, April 1
The concept of child rights and juvenile justice administration appears to be finding their way into the rural populations of the state. A recent instance was a seminar in Old Riphyim village, under Wokha district, on March 28.
The District Child Protection Unit of Wokha organized the event. The unit is under the department of Social Welfare. Besides community members, officials of the district administration, juvenile justice board, child welfare committee, village council and the church, student leaders, women leaders and youths were in attendance.
The resource persons were probation officer Neinguvotuo Krose, chairman of the Juvenile Justice Board, Phuleto Yeptho and member of the Child Welfare Committee, Yahamo Patton. The resource persons spoke on various topics of child rights administration such as the Integrated Child Protection Scheme, child rights and protection and the role of village-level child protection committees. The concepts are used in dealing with children in conflict with the law, missing and found children, orphaned or abandoned or destitute children, “differently-able” children, children from families at risk, affected by conflict and disaster, street children, working children, trafficked children and abused children. The resource persons the role of stakeholders such as the Juvenile Justice Board, child welfare committee, special juvenile police unit, child care institution, and village level child protection committee in the districts.
They “are to contribute in the well being of the children in difficult circumstances in exploring the potentials that is been hidden in them and provide necessary support service in the lives of these less privilege children as well as bring them back to the social mainstream of life.”
The resource persons appealed to the public to report any child-related cases to the nearest police station so that the Special Juvenile Police Unit can refer the matter to the board or committee within 24 hours and take necessary corrective measure for the children.
