4,413 Students in Sirmaur Sensitised on POCSO Act Under ‘Safe Childhood Campaign’

Nahan, October 28: A total of 4,413 students from 12 schools across Sirmaur district were sensitised about child safety, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, and legal assistance under the nationwide ‘Safe Childhood Campaign’ on Wednesday.

The awareness programme was organised by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Sirmaur, under the directions of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), New Delhi, and the Himachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority, Shimla.

The campaign covered schools in Paonta Sahib, Dadahu, Rajgarh and other areas of the district. These included BB Jeet Kaur Memorial Senior Secondary School, Government Senior Secondary Schools at Jamniwala, Missarwala, Panar, Ludhiana, Vasni, Birla and Nihalgarh, PM Shri Government Model Senior Secondary Schools at Narg and Paonta Sahib, Carmel Convent Senior Secondary School and Senior Secondary School Rampurghat.

Chief Judicial Magistrate Sirmaur Upasana Sharma led the awareness session at Carmel Convent School. At PM Shri Government Model Senior Secondary School, Paonta Sahib, ACJM-cum-Chairperson of the Sub-Divisional Legal Services Committee Vikas Gupta addressed around 1,400 students. Panel advocate Amna Shah sensitised 420 students at Senior Secondary School Rampurghat, while advocate Saurav Tomar addressed 200 students at Government Senior Secondary School, Nihalgarh.

Other sessions were conducted under the guidance of DLSA Sirmaur Secretary-cum-Senior Civil Judge Nav Kamal at Panar, and by Civil Judge Court No. 2, Paonta Sahib, Raghav Sharma, panel advocate Vijay Chaudhary, remand counsel Ranjit Singh Cheema, advocate Akash Nehru at Narg, advocate Satender Singh at Vasni and police officials at Birla.

Students were informed about key provisions of the POCSO Act, the difference between safe and unsafe touch, and the importance of reporting abuse rather than remaining silent. They were advised to approach parents, teachers or the relevant helplines for assistance, including police emergency number 112, Child Helpline 1098 and NALSA toll-free number 15100.

The sessions also covered safe social media practices and the free legal aid available to children through the District Legal Services Authority. School principals and managements appreciated the initiative.