Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Dec, 17
Police officials including members of Special Juvenile Police Units, Juvenile Welfare Officers, SHOs, Investigating Officers and others from Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur and Reasi districts were trained on Juvenile Justice Act 2013 and Rules 2014 during one day capacity building workshop organized here today by National Development Foundation in collaboration with Selection cum Oversight Committee under JJ Act, Mission Directorate ICPS J&K, Zonal Police HQ’s Jammu Zone, with the support of the European Union. Honourable Justice Hasnain Masoodi Chairperson Selection cum Oversight Committee (SCOC) was the Chief Guest of the occasion and Mr. G.A. Sofi State Mission Director ICPS was the Guest of Honour.
Prominent among others present on the occasion include Mr. Rajiv Khajuria Founder Emeritus National Development Foundation/ Member SCOC, Prof. Dr. Arti Bakhshi, Dr. Rouf Malik, Prof. Aneesa Shafi all Members SCOC, Ms. Arti Sharma Chief Functionary NDF, Ms. Neha Gandotra Chief Operating Officer NDF, SDPO Domana Mr. Sandeep Gupta IPS, ICPS staff and others. Advocate Anant Kumar Asthana law practitioner Delhi High Court and Supreme Court of India was the main resource person during the workshop.
During the day long workshop different sessions on Role of police in Juvenile Justice System (key issues in the context of Jammu); children in conflict with law (CCL), related structures, processes and role of police; Children in need of care and protection (CNCP), related structures, processes and role of police; Child friendly environment in police stations and child friendly attitude of police personal in dealing with children; use of special formats by Police while dealing with cases of children were conducted.
Hon’ble Justice Hasnain Masoodi Chairperson SCOC made clear that the adjudication and disposition of cases under JJ act shall not be for punitive measures but should be for the ultimate rehabilitation of child in his/her best interest. Justice Hasnain Masoodi Chairperson SCoC also interacted with the police officers and encouraged them to adopt child friendly behaviour while dealing with cases of CCL & CNCP. Mr. G A Sofi emphasised that the children below 18 years of age are not aware of the consequences of their actions as per neurosciences and therefore must not be treated as criminals. He emphasised that the Juvenile Justice System is different from Criminal justice system and is meant for the welfare, rehabilitation and reform of children rather than punishing them for their actions. Mr. Rajiv Khajuria briefed on structures formed in the state for implementation of Juvenile Justice (Care and protection of Children) Act 2013 and ICPS. He emphasised that the Police must treat the CCL & CNCP in child friendly manner as they are the first contact for children in difficult situations and therefore have the most critical role in reducing the trauma of CCL & CNCP.
An open session was also organized wherein the queries of the participants were addressed by Justice Hasnain Masoodi Chairperson SCOC, Mr. G.A. Sofi SMD ICPS, Members of SCOC and Advocate Anant Kumar Asthana.
