Srinagar, Sep 1: Expressing serious concern over allegedly growing detentions of children and absence of proper institutions and mechanism to deal with minors, experts have warned it could have serious ramification on their individual health as well as for the society as a whole.
Experts say that juvenile delinquencies have increased in the recent past. However state Government has failed to deal with such children in a proper and humane manner. They say that even Jammu and Kashmir Juvenile Justice Act 1997 is not being implemented in letter and spirit.
Highlighting the apathetic attitude of the Government in implementation of the Act, the Rules of this law were formulated in 2007 after a delay of 10 years. “Mental health and well being of these children is badly affected resulting in psychological and behavioral problems including depression, anxiety and suicidal tendency, alcohol abuses and post-traumatic stress disorder,” opines prominent sociologist Bashir Ahmad Dabla.
Renowned psychiatrist Dr Mushtaq Margoob states that children are not just passive bystanders but often active citizens with values and causes, and therefore conflict situation can lead to strange social processes and a new mental make-up.
“We have to treat them with utmost care, as they are going through transitional phase in their lives. Any untoward incident can have very bad impact on their future life,” Margoob said, adding, “These juveniles can develop hatred towards anyone who inflicts any trauma or trouble on them.”
Jammu and Kashmir has no Juvenile Welfare Board. This board could have handled cases of the juvenile delinquents and has power of adjudication as enshrined in the Act.
Absence of Juvenile Courts is also major cause of worry which stops justice to minors. As a result, children have to appear in normal courts which, according to experts, can have serious impact on their psyche.
According to legal experts, instead of reforming these juveniles they are exposed to big criminals by sending them to jails. They can also become victims of sexual abuse in the police stations and jails.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 1 Sep 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 1 Sep 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 2 Sep 2012 00:00:00 IST