PALIN, 15 Oct: A two-day awareness programme on child rights was organised here in Kra Daadi district by the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR), in collaboration with the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) and the ICDS, from 14-15 October.

The intensive two-day initiative commenced on 14 October with extensive field visits and institutional assessments across the district. The visiting APSCPCR team, accompanied by district support officials, inspected key community facilities, including the one-stop centre and anganwadi centres in Jorung and Lumba. The delegation also conducted thorough inspections of prominent educational institutions: Byabang Heri Higher Secondary School, Don Bosco School, and JNV Palin.

During the visits, the members interacted directly with students, teachers, anganwadi workers, and helpers to evaluate child safety standards, RTE implementation, Child Helpline (1098), POCSO awareness mechanisms, sanitation, and nutrition.

In the afternoon, a high-level review meeting was convened with key child protection functionaries, including representatives from the Child Welfare Committee, Juvenile Justice Board, DCPU, child helpline, special juvenile police unit and the ICDS, to address pending cases, infrastructure challenges, and inter-agency coordination.

The second phase of the programme was held on 15 October at the Nyokum hall, which was attended by CWC chairperson Dolang Taging, ZPM Tassar Punam, SP Sepraj Perme, Kra Daadi DC Higio Yame and APSCPCR members Niri Chongrowju and Taba Champa Riba, who emphasised the crucial role of community responsibility in safeguarding child rights.

Following the session, an expert-led technical segment addressed critical welfare and legal frameworks. Advocate Nabam Tania conducted an in-depth session on child protection mechanisms, the POCSO Act, child sexual abuse, child labour, and child marriage.

Chongrowju spoke extensively on the Right to Education, school safety, bullying, ragging, and harassment.

Mental health, emotional wellbeing, and substance abuse prevention were addressed by resource person Dr Gimi Tang, while Nong Jongkey, officer in-charge of Palin police station, led a session on online safety, social media misuse, digital child protection, and online gaming.

The event witnessed participation of heads of departments, school principals, teachers, PRI members, gaon buras, parents, and community leaders. The speakers reiterated the collective responsibility of the administration, police, education and health sectors, PRIs, and community stakeholders in fostering a secure, responsive, and child-friendly environment. (DIPR)