Chief Justice, Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Justice Gita Mittal today inaugurated a two Day Orientation and Consultation Programme on ‘Implementation of Juvenile Justice Act 2015’ (Opportunities and challenges for Children in J&K) here at Convention Centre.The programme was organized by Juvenile Justice Committee, High Court of J&K under the guidance of Juvenile Justice Committee, Supreme Court of India and supported by UNICEF.In her inaugural address, Chief Justice, Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Justice Gita Mittal stressed on adopting holistic approach on Juvenile Justice and impressed upon every stakeholder to ensure that the rights of every child shall be fully protected. It is our duty to provide a conducive and healthy environment to Children in Conflict with Law and to those who are in need of care and protection, she added.The Chief Justice said that the children must be made aware about their action and asked the participants to take their sensitization to the people at mass level. She also underlined the importance of ensuring proper age determination.The Chief Justice appreciated the organizers for organizing a programme on important subject like Juvenile Justice and hoped that the participants will benefit a lot from the knowledge sharing of experienced resource persons.Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Member Juvenile Justice Committee, High Court of J&K, during his key note address, emphasized on the need to put collaborated efforts to overcome the challenges for effective implementation of Juvenile Justice Act 2015.He said that the Orientation and Consultation Programme will help in understanding the features of the said Act for its more effective implementation.Director, Sher-i-Kashmir Police Academy, Udhampur, Dr SD Singh, while interacting with the participants, stated that the Constitution has laid down several provisions for the protection of children and it is high time that the Juvenile Justice Act 2015 shall be implemented in true letter and spirit.
Director General, Women & Child Development, J&K, Mir Tariq Ali said that the children are the future of the country and investing in a child is investing in future. There is just need to create an efficient system for bringing transformational shift for those who needs care and protection to protect the future, he added.Professor Ved Kumari, Department of Law, University of Delhi and Bharti Ali- Co-founder , Haq centre for Child Rights , New Delhi were the resource persons for the day.On its first day, the programme was divided into three sessions in which the resource persons sensitized the participants on various topics including introduction to Juvenile Justice Act 2015 - challenges and opportunities, Children in Conflict with Law (CICL) - Remarkable changes with special focus on categorization of offences on the basis of age and nature of offence with special reference to 16-18 age group, Special Procedure and role of JJB with reference to CICL- Bail and Age Determination and Special Procedure and role of CWC with reference to Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP).Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF India-J&K, Hilal Bhat, during his welcome address, presented a brief introduction of the programme to the participants. Member Secretary, Juvenile Justice Committee, High Court of J&K (Principal District and Sessions Judge, Srinagar), Abdul Rashid Malik gave an overview of the programme and presented vote of thanks.Prominent among others, present on the occasion were Member, Selection cum Oversight Committee, Rajiv Khajuria, Registrar General, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir, Sanjay Dhar besides Principal Magistrates and Members of Juvenile Justice Boards of Jammu, Chairpersons & Members of Child Welfare Committees and Child Welfare Officers of J&K Police.