Awareness on NALSA (Child Friendly Legal Services to Children & their

Protection) Act 2015 conducted at Mawkyrwat

Mawkyrwat, August 26, 2023: The office of the District Legal Services Authority, South
West Khasi Hills District Mawkyrwat today conducted an Awareness Programme on the topic
NALSA (Child friendly Legal Services to children and their Protection) Scheme 2015 and
Juvenile Justice (Care and protection of Children) Act 2015 at Rising Secondary School,
Sohkhyllam, South West Khasi Hills District, Mawkyrwat.

Smt. D. Sohtun, CJM & Secretary DLSA, South West Khasi Hills District said that the
Awareness programme was organize with a view to educate public as well as stakeholders on
child’s rights and their protection on the available child protection services, schemes and
structure at all levels.
The NALSA (Child friendly Legal Services to children and their protection) Scheme 2015
envisage the basic rights and benefits that should be afforded to children and to make them
understand the importance of their rights as enshrined under the constitution and various laws
such as Child Marriage Restraint Act, Child Labour Prohibition Act, Juvenile Justice Act,
POCSO Act, etc. She also discussed on the need for children’s right and its constitutional
provision and policies of the government in safeguarding and protection the rights of children.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri. S.R. Kharkongor, District Child Protection Unit, South West
Khasi Hills District said that the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
has come into force from Jan 15, 2016 and repeals the Juvenile Justice, Act, 2000. The Act
deals with the law relating to juveniles in conflict with law and children in need of care and
protection by providing them with proper care, protection and treatment by catering to their
needs and by adopting a child friendly approach in the adjudication and disposition of matters
in the best interest. The Act seeks to reduce crime committed by children between the ages of
16 and 18 It also specifies procedural safeguard in cases of children in conflict with law and
seek to address the challenges in the existing act such as delay in adoption processes, high
pendency of cases accountability of institution etc.

The program was chaired by Shri. K. Wanniang, Headmaster of Rising Secondary School,
Sohkhyllam and followed the vote of thanks.