GOVERNOR GRACES INAUGURAL PROGRAM OF STATE LEVEL WORKSHOP ON POSCO & NDPS ACT
Jointly organised by High Court Legal Services Committee, Kohima in collaboration with Dept. of Law & Justice, Dept. of H&FW and Nagaland Police a State Level Workshop on POSCO ACT & NDPS Act was held on 27th April, 2024 at Rhododendron Hall, Police Complex, Chumoukedima.
Governor, La Ganesan, in his inaugural address, stated that Nagaland is not immune to the complexities and intricacies of the criminal justice landscape. We face unique challenges that demand our attention and concerted efforts to overcome. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, stands as a beacon of hope in our quest to shield our children from the trauma of sexual abuse and exploitation. However, he said the effective implementation and enforcement of this legislation are hindered by a myriad of challenges. Similarly, the scourge of drug abuse and trafficking continues to ravage our communities, posing a grave threat to public health and safety, especially that of our youth. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 aims to fight drug abuse and trafficking but it is imperative that we confront the local obstacles that impede its efficacy, he said.
He also mentioned that among the challenges facing our criminal justice system are the geographical constraints that hinder access to remote areas, the scarcity of resources and infrastructure, and the cultural nuances that influence perceptions of crime and justice. Additionally, the prevalence of traditional dispute resolution mechanisms and the stigma surrounding certain crimes often deter victims from seeking recourse through formal legal channels. It is incumbent upon us to acknowledge these challenges and work collaboratively to address them and prioritize the training, capacity-building of our law enforcement personnel, judiciary, and medical professionals to ensure a more effective response to cases of child sexual abuse and drug-related offenses. Moreover, we must also engage with local communities to raise awareness, dispel myths, and foster trust in the formal justice system, he said.
Furthermore, he stressed on must have leverage technology and innovation to overcome the geographical barriers and streamline processes for accessing justice. Likewise, ICT enablement of courts, remote video conferencing, telemedicine, and online reporting mechanisms are just a few examples of how we can harness technology to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of our justice system, he said.
In conclusion, he urged all to remember that the true measure of success lies not only in the laws enacted or the cases prosecuted but in the lives we touch and the futures we safeguard. He encouraged all to strive, be beacons of hope, champions of justice, and guardians of our children's dreams. By doing so, we can make meaningful progress in strengthening Nagaland's criminal justice system by working together in shaping a brighter, safer, and more inclusive future for Nagaland.
Director General of Police, Rupin Sharma, IPS in his address stated that POSCO & NDPS cases are a matter of concern for all of us and stressed upon on stigmatization of the victims, a victim cannot be seen as an outcast in the society, we all need to give respect to the victims and this can only be changed if the mind-set of the society changes. He said there is a need to put the system into place, where people can encourage to report and not stigmatize them and maintain a degree of secrecy not just of victims but also of the family and other witnesses. He urged the officers to take due care and investigate details of these cases so that desired results are achieved.
He also informed that in Nagaland police, we have unarmed police centric state with 15 battalions of 16000 people in the battalions and around 50% of the components of the district executive force is armed police where 70% of the Nagaland Police is involved in law & order duties and not investigation purposes. We need to change, reinvent so better professionalism & better investigation will come into Nagaland police. The only way Nagaland police will be able to establish supremacy of law in the State and enhance trust & image in the minds of the public is through better investigation, he added.
Furthermore, referring to the increasing trend in Drugs, he urged the officers that these cases are to be dealt very carefully as they directly affect the health of our society and directed them to make utmost use of this workshop and see where they lack and identify the inadequacies and plug the loopholes to fill these gaps.
Highlights of the program included two working session focussing on the topics- On protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 and Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985; Where under this topics different subjects was delivered by resource persons: Director, Judicial Academy, Assam, Justice ( Rtd) Mir Aifaz Ali; Co- founder Enfold Trust, Consultant Gynaecologist & Child Protection Trainer, Dr. Shaibya Saldanha, MD; DGP, Nagaland Rupin Sharma, IPS and District & Sessions Judge (Rtd) & Faculty Judicial Academy, Assam, S.P. Moitra, followed by interaction. Speeches were also delivered by Commissioner & Secretary, Dept. of Law & Justice, Anoop kinchi, IAS; Commissioner & Secretary, Dept. of H&FW, V. Kezo.
(Tovikali, IA, Chumoukedima)
