Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 138/06

TRAINING PROGRAMME ON JUVENILE JUSTICE ACT ORGANISED AT TURA

A two-day training programme on the implementation of Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2000, which was organised by the Department of Social Welfare in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and the District Administration at Circuit House, Tura, concluded on February 21, 2006.

The training programme was conducted for the officers, members of the Juvenile Justice Boards and Child Welfare Committees of the three Districts and the NGOs involved in the implementation of the Act.

Delivering a keynote address as the Chief Guest in the inaugural session, the Director of National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), Mr. S. Prakash, IIS, highlighted the objectives and provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act which was adopted to amend the laws relating to juveniles in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection, to cater to their development needs and to adopt child-friendly approach in adjudication and disposition of matters in the best interest of children and their rehabilitation through institutions like juvenile homes established under the Act. He said that in order to get desired results, there has to be conviction and appealed to all the members as well as NGOs to work in proper coordination and serve as a mechanism for effective implementation of the Act.

Director Social Welfare, Shillong, Ms. L. Diengdoh, Joint Director, Tura, Ms. L. N. Jyrwa, District Social Welfare Officers, Tura and Williamnagar, Ms. L. N. Jyrwa and Ms. C. N. Marak were among others who also spoke on the occasion.

Programme Director of Impulse NGO Network, Mr. R. Lyngdoh, Advocates Ms. D. R. Kharbteng and Ms. J. Chetri, Centre Coordinator, Childline Shillong, Ms. Eva Synrem, Director Montfort Centre for Education, Tura, Bro. V. K. George and Director, Social Welfare Ms. Diengdoh conducted the different sessions on various topics like Status of Children in Meghalaya, Salient Features of Juvenile Justice Act, Role of Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee and Police in implementation of the Act, Role of Community in implementation of the Act, Counselling of delinquent children, etc.