This refers to the news in Greater Kashmir that in recent unrest police  has booked many minors below 18 years under Public Safety Act and under different sections of Ranbir Panel Code. If it is presumed that a minor is involved in stone pelting and other offenses, then the person below the age of 18 years is treated as juvenile delinquent and there is special procedure and treatment to deal with these children under the Juvenile Justice System. We have Juvenile Justice Act along with its rules applicable in the State. The Juvenile is not to be arrested and put in police stations but to be put in Juvenile observation homes where they could be dealt in special atmosphere. We do not have the Juvenile observation homes in the State and neither are Juvenile boards available where these children could be presented for trial. High Court recently in Public Interest Litigation (PIL) A R Hanjura V/S State has directed in its final order to the Government to implement the Juvenile Justice Act in letter and spirit and establish Juvenile homes and Juvenile boards in the State within a period of three months. One can observe that State Government is concerned only for law and order and other things of their interest, so how can we expect from the Government that matter will be taken seriously. Everyone admits that our future lies in these young children, so we all must be very concerned and serious about the treatment of children especially minors. When these minor children are jailed along with criminals who are either under trial or undergoing punishment and are put in police stations with routine criminals, its consequences will be dangerous. India is signatory of UN Conventions on Child Rights and these rights are to be protected and implemented in J & K also. Let’s have child protection council or child rights protection commission in J & K State as 38% of population comprises of our children. Once we are able to protect our children from all abuses and are able to provide them all facilities including moral education and financial assistance, we can ensure their safety.
 Rashid Hanjura
Advocate Social Activist
arhanjura@rediffmail.com

Lastupdate on : Sun, 15 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 15 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST