BALEMU, 19 Sep: The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR) conducted a sensitisation programme on child rights at Balemu village in West Kameng district on Friday.
Addressing the participants, APSCPCR member Miti Libang emphasised on overall wellbeing of children, stressing on child friendly environment at home, school, and public places. She also requested everyone present to take full responsibility to protect child rights.
APSCPCR member Honluk Lukham in his address said that the reputation of Arunachal Pradesh is at stake due to many reported child abuse cases in the state. He sensitised the public to right to education, bullying in school, and the roles and responsibilities of teachers and care givers.
West Kameng Women & Child Development Deputy Director RT Deru presented a brief on the issues that the district is facing in terms of drugs, child labour, early marriage, etc. He informed about the efforts being made by the department to mitigate the existing issues.
DCPU PO Rinchin Megegee dwelt on the Juvenile and Child Labour Act, and listed the existing institutional infrastructure in the district, such as JJB, CWC, and DCPU, to protect child rights.
Bomdila general hospital clinical psychologist Kenju Pakam spoke on mental health of children, emotional wellbeing, and drugs and substance abuse. She requested parents to observe the signs of mental health early on. She also shared helpline numbers for mental health cases.
Child Welfare Committee member Ajit Sasusowcovered the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act. He went into details about the prevailing law on the subjects.
Balemu PS OC Leiki Norbu sensitised the participants to digital child protection, online safety, and online gaming addiction, while Balemu Assistant Commissioner Dr Hage Atho said that the district administration is proactive in terms of fighting against the drugs menace in the region.
Taking the opportunity of the programme, Kalaktang CDPO DK Thungon launched the 'Poshan Connect'programme, which is a nutrition exchange initiative of the Kalaktang ICDS project.
He said that the objective of the initiative is to give and receive food, homegrown fruits and vegetables among the citizens. The field functionaries will carry out the initiative during this Poshan Maah celebration, which is being celebrated across the nation, he said.
The programme was attended by HoDs of Balemu circle, PRI members, gaon buras, school teachers (both government and private), officials of the BRO, ASHAs, anganwadi workers, supervisors and gramsevikas. (DIPRO)
