PASIGHAT, OCT 23:
The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR), in collaboration with the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), East Siang, organised a two-day child rights awareness and welfare assessment campaign at Government Higher Secondary School, Mebo, on October 22 and 23.
The campaign aimed to sensitise stakeholders on child rights, protection laws, online safety, mental health and the prevention of child abuse and substance abuse.
In-charge Deputy Commissioner Jayanti Pertin attended the inaugural programme as the chief guest, while Superintendent of Police Pankaj Lamba was the guest of honour and Zilla Parishad Chairperson Ruth Tabing Boko the special guest. APSCPCR members Miti Libang and Honluk Lukham attended as resource persons.
Pertin appreciated the Commission and the DCPU for organising the campaign and stressed the need for collective efforts to safeguard children’s rights and well-being. She urged participants to make effective use of the guidance provided by resource persons from the District Legal Services Authority, police, health and Women and Child Development departments.
Lamba highlighted initiatives undertaken by East Siang Police to protect children, particularly Mission Muskaan 2.0. He assured participants that the police remained available round the clock to respond to child protection concerns and provide assistance.
Boko urged participants, particularly members of self-help groups (SHGs), to actively engage in the sessions and act as community-level ambassadors for child rights and protection awareness.
Libang highlighted key child rights concerns and emerging health challenges among young people. She encouraged students to adopt healthy eating habits and avoid excessive consumption of junk and highly processed foods. She also addressed legal queries raised during the interactive session.
Lukham called for stronger coordination among government departments, SHGs and community-based organisations to prevent child abuse, exploitation and drug and substance abuse.
The campaign featured technical sessions on key legal, psychological and contemporary child safety issues. Advocate Nyame Dabi spoke on the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, child labour and child marriage.
Advocate Sunny Tayeng addressed the Right to Education Act, school safety, bullying and child protection mechanisms.
Mental health psychologist Kenyot Pertin spoke on emotional well-being and substance abuse prevention, while IPS officer Neepa Manocha discussed online safety, social media misuse, cyberbullying, internet safety and online gaming addiction. Each session was followed by an interactive question-and-answer segment.
The programme brought together representatives from various departments and institutions, including the District Labour Office, Special Juvenile Police Unit, Child Welfare Committee, Juvenile Justice Board, DCPU, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), schools, Anganwadi centres, SHGs, community-based organisations, Adi Bane Kebang and Women Against Social Evils, among others.
As part of the welfare assessment, APSCPCR members, accompanied by the Deputy Director of ICDS-cum-District Child Protection Officer, Child Development Project Officers and other officials, inspected institutions under the Pasighat ICDS Project.
The visits covered Anganwadi centres, schools, child care institutions and the Women Police Station at Pasighat.
The team assessed the functioning of these institutions, available facilities, operational standards and compliance with child protection and welfare requirements.
The campaign sought to strengthen awareness, interdepartmental coordination and community participation in ensuring children’s safety, dignity and overall well-being.
