Shillong, October 14: The Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) and the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), East Khasi Hills, in collaboration with the State Government, on Wednesday launched Project ‘Ka Jingkyrmen (Hope)’ to prevent offences against children, promote legal awareness and strengthen child protection mechanisms under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
The initiative aims to educate children, parents, teachers and communities about child safety, legal rights and preventive measures, with special attention to vulnerable children and areas requiring greater intervention.
Addressing the launch programme, Meghalaya High Court Chief Justice and MSLSA Patron-in-Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere stressed the importance of raising awareness about the POCSO Act, particularly among adolescents. She pointed out that many young people remain unaware of the legal consequences of engaging in sexual activity with persons below 18 years of age, emphasising that a minor’s consent is not considered a valid legal defence under the Act.
Justice Dere said the initiative was conceived following cases encountered during judicial proceedings, particularly those involving adolescents in romantic relationships. She noted that such cases could lead to serious consequences, including school dropouts, pregnancy, arrest and prosecution, affecting the future of both boys and girls. Highlighting education as a powerful tool for empowerment, she urged children to complete their studies and remain focused on achieving their aspirations.
Commissioner and Secretary of the Social Welfare Department, Pravin Bakshi, welcomed the initiative and assured full support from the department and other government agencies. Highlighting the need for preventive interventions, Bakshi cited 29 POCSO cases in Mawlai Block and 26 in Mawryngkneng Block. He also outlined existing child protection measures, including Mission Vatsalya, which provides care and support to vulnerable children, and the role of Child Care Institutions in rehabilitation and protection. Bakshi further highlighted the integration of the Child Helpline with the Emergency Response Support System (112) and Women Helpline (181) to improve access to emergency assistance.
Justice H. S. Thangkhiew, Judge of the Meghalaya High Court and Executive Chairman of MSLSA, said the project was formulated under the directions of the Chief Justice to strengthen legal awareness, particularly among vulnerable children. He emphasised the need to communicate legal information in languages that children and local communities can easily understand.
Under Project Ka Jingkyrmen, awareness programmes will focus on children’s rights under the POCSO Act, good touch and bad touch, consent, personal safety and protection against online risks and cybercrime.
The initiative will also promote awareness of important helpline numbers, including the Legal Services Helpline (15100), Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) and Police Emergency Helpline (112). The project will involve coordinated efforts by the Social Welfare, Health and Education Departments, police, district administration, teachers, students, Anganwadi workers, Para-Legal Volunteers and traditional village institutions.
Besides preventing offences against children, the initiative seeks to discourage school dropouts and encourage children to continue their education through awareness, counselling, guidance and access to support services.
Through the project, MSLSA, DLSA East Khasi Hills and the Meghalaya Government aim to strengthen institutional cooperation and community participation to ensure a safer environment for children across the State.
