WORKSHOP CUM SEMINAR ON ‘FURTHERING JUSTICE DELIVERY STANDARDS FOR CHILDREN’, GUWAHATI, ASSAM. Date : 15-03-2008
The Legal Assistance Forum in association with UNICEF organized Workshop cum Seminar on ‘Furthering Justice Delivery Standards For Children' on 15th March, 2008 at Vivekanand Kendra, Guwahati, Assam.
The Seminar was inaugurated by
Hon'ble Mr. Justice Jasti Chelameshwar, Chief Justice Gauhati High Court.
In the presence of
Hon'ble Mr. Justice I.A. Ansari, Judge, Gauhati High Court
Mr. Amod Kanth, IPS , General Secretary, Prayas Institute of Juvenile Justice, Delhi,
Mr. R.N.Mathur, Director General of Police,
Assam
Mr. Dilip Bora, IPS, Inspector General of Police (CID), Assam
Mrs. Junu Neog, Deputy Director of Social Welfare Department, State of Assam
Dr. Jyoti Prasad Bora, Principal, University Law College, Guwahati
Mr. Father Lukose, Founder Director of Snehalaya (Destitute Home), Guwahati.
The Workshop cum Seminar was attended by Principal Magistrates and Members of Juvenile Justice Board, Members of Special Juvenile Police Units and Probation Officers from all over the State. Besides large number of students of University Law College, Guwahati attended the Workshop cum Seminar and worked as volunteers.
WORKING SESSION
The Session started with visual presentation on 'Roles played by various stakeholders in juvenile justice system' by Ms. Sneha kalita, Project Coordinator, Assam chapter, LAF. She enlightened all the participants about the responsibilities shared by each stake holders like Police officers, Members of the JJ Board, Probation Officer, Staff of Observations Homes, State Government, NGO/Social workers and Legal fraternity while dealing with juveniles. She also explained the importance of coordination and co-operation among these stakeholders and summarized the relevant provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act and Rules.
Mr. Apurba Sharma, Secretary, Assam Chapter, LAF introduced the guest and welcomed the gathering of about 250 person. He welcomed Hon'ble Justice I.A. Ansari, Judge, Gauhati High Court; Mr. Amod Kanth, IPS & General Secretary, Prayas Institute of Juvenile Justice, Delhi, Mr. Dilip Bora, IPS, Inspector General of Police (CID); Mrs. Junu Neog, Deputy Director of Social Welfare Department, State of Assam; Dr. Jyoti Prasad Bora, Principal, University Law College, Guwahati and Mr. Father Lukose, Founder Director of Snehalaya (Destitute Home), Guwahati.
The working session was divided into three segments based on the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act.
Segment I: Pre- Inquiry Process
The first working session relate to Pre-Inquiry Process. This session was chaired by Mr. Amod K. Kanth, IPS & General Secretary, Prayas Institute of Juvenile Justice, Delhi,. He explained the perspective of the police officer in handling the Juvenile in conflict with law. He emphasized that that no child in conflict with law can be kept in a lock up and that it is the duty of State Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) to allow a juvenile involved in offences of non-serious nature (entailing a punishment of less than 7 years for adults) stay out on bail. At the same time, expression like convict, trial, accused, bail and arrest should never be used in the processes pertaining Juvenile.
The session was co-chaired by Mr. Dilip Bora, IPS, Inspector General of Police (CID), Assam. He stated that Juvenile crime in Assam is less when compared to other States. But in reality, it is because Juveniles are put in the category of adult as there are only 4 Observation Homes in Assam and condition of even these Homes are very bad. He presented a statistics of Juvenile crime in Assam. Explaining the reason for this prevailing situation he stated that, after a complaint is lodged, police has only 24 hours to do their paperwork and send Juvenile to Home. As Assam has only 4 homes officers have to travel hundred of miles to reach. But lack of manpower, infrastructure and basic amenities make police helpless. He also emphasized about the communication between the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) and State Juvenile Police Units (SPJU) should be improved for effective functioning of Juvenile Justice System. He also threw light on the categories of crime including murder and dacoits and their rise among children.
The last speaker of this session was Mr. Sanjay Kr. Medhi, Treasurer, Assam Chapter, LAF who facilitated the speakers in this session and also highlighted the relevant Sections and Rules of Juvenile Justice Act and Rules related to Pre-inquiry process.
