Two days workshop for duty bearers (ICPS, Legal Service Authority, Police and other functionaries) on the implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 started in Leh on May 13.

The workshop was organised by Juvenile Justice Committee, High Court of J&K & Ladakh in collaboration with the Social Welfare Department, UT Ladakh supported by UNICEF. Chairperson, High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Justice Ali Mohammed Magrey inaugurated the event virtually.

In his inaugural address, Justice Ali Mohammed Magrey reiterated that children cannot be treated as criminals and added that the Juvenile Justice Act is comprehensive legislation that addresses the basic needs of children. 

Commissioner/ Secretary, Social and Tribal Welfare Department, Ladakh, Padma Angmo stressed the need for training and capacity building of Counsellors as they play a crucial role in dealing with children in conflict with the law. She urged to strive towards implementation of the rules in letter and spirit of the law and exhorted that no child should be deprived of their rights and go away without getting their dues.

The delegation/resource persons from UNICEF, Bharti Ali (Executive Director HAQ Center for Child Rights), Nimisha Shrivastava (Executive Director, Counsel to Secure Justice), Manna Biswas (Child Protection Officer) and Shruti Prasad (Consultant) gave an extensive walk-through on the Juvenile Justice Amendment Act 2021, Model Rules 2016, structures and functioning of Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee.  Discussion was also carried out on the procedures to be adopted by police/NGOs/Child Protection Services in relation to children in conflict with the law, apprehension/mental health of children, substance abuse victims, bail, preliminary assessment into heinous offences, and various other related aspects. 

They also stressed the importance of sensitising society on dealing with such children with no judgment as children cannot comprehend crimes or misdemeanours like an adult. 

Deputy Commissioner, Leh Srikant Balasaheb Suse welcomed and thanked all the officials, participants and resource persons for conducting the workshop and urged that the trainees get the maximum benefit from the program.

SSP, Leh PD Nitya exhorted the major role police play in implementing the Juvenile Justice Act as they have to act both as the protector and investigator.