BASAR, Oct 24: The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR) in collaboration with the Department of Women and Child Development organised a child rights awareness programme themed ‘Know Your Rights: Protect Every Child’ at the Tribal Cultural Hall here in Leparada district on Thursday.
Speaking as chief guest on the occasion, Leparada Deputy Commissioner Himani Meena called for making Leparada a model, child-friendly district free from crime against children. She also highlighted the dangers of substance abuse and drug addiction among young people, and appealed to all stakeholders and the community to work together to ensure the safety, protection and well-being of every child.
Leparada Superintendent of Police Keni Bagra, the guest of honour, underscored the importance of child safety and protection, and assured all possible assistance from the district police in dealing with cases involving child labour, trafficking and other offences against children.
ZPC Nyamar Riba stressed the need for concerted efforts to eradicate child labour and child trafficking, and called upon the police and concerned agencies to maintain strict vigilance against such offences.
Addressing the gathering, APSCPCR Member Niri Chongrowju urged participants to work collectively towards building a better society by ensuring love, care and protection for children, describing them as the future of the nation.
Earlier, CDPO-cum-District Child Protection Officer Sito Riba stated that participants from diverse professional backgrounds representing all four administrative circles of the district joined the programme to ensure wider awareness of child rights and protection across Leparada district.
The technical sessions featured resource persons from the Education Department, District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), One Stop Centre (OSC) and Juvenile Justice Board (JJB). An interactive session provided participants an opportunity to raise questions and discuss local challenges and practical concerns relating to child protection, abuse and offences against children.
Later, the APSCPCR Member, accompanied by the CDPO-cum-DCPO, visited the DCPU, OSC, District Hospital and Basar police station to assess the ground-level situation, available infrastructure and services related to child protection.
During the visits, the Member interacted with police personnel, doctors and other officials, and discussed issues concerning the safety, care and protection of children. (DIPRO)