Awareness on POCSO Act hosted at interior Chandel village

Chandel,June 17: A one-day consultation programme on the gaps and challenges ahead of the full implementation of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 was organised today at the community hall of Ziontlang, an interior village in Chandel district.   
The programme was jointly organised by Manipur Alliance for Child Rights(MACR) and New Era Environmental and Development Society (NEEDS), New Checkon with support from Child Rights and You. Member of Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) K Pradip Singh was the moderator.
Officer in charge of Chandel Women Police Station Langhu Tongamna spoke on the roles of Special Juvenile Police Unit in quest to make POCSO Act fully functional; officer of District Child Protection Office, Chandel, Vector Singh spoke on the corresponding roles of District Child Protection Unit; and chairperson of CWC Chandel, Heching Haokip, spoke on the roles of Child Welfare Committee. The three officials who also served as the panelist answered questions on the Act directed by the participants.
Speaking about the objectives of organising the programme, Assistant District Co-ordinator of NEEDS Roundar Paul said it was to spread proper awareness about the new Act to the villagers so that they have full knowledge about their legal entitlements under the Act and subsequently their contributions can be counted upon in preventing sexual assaults on children in Chandel district.
About 80 persons including village leaders, women, youths, church leaders, representatives of CSOs and NGOs from Ziontlang,New Wangparal,Old Wangparal and Chandonpokpi villages participated at the programme.