Act as per POCSO Act, Rights panel to judiciary

SHILLONG: The Chairperson, State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Meena Kharkongor has urged the judiciary to act as per the provisions of the POCSO Act, 2012 in order to provide justice to the victims of heinous offences.
Reacting to the report regarding the absence of fast track court in the state leading to the delay in getting justice to the minors afflicted by rape, the Chairperson on Thursday said that there was a need on the part of the judiciary to follow the provisions of POSCO Act to provide justice to the victims who are minors.
It was reported that after the twin rape and murder cases of two minors in two separate incidents in East Jaintia Hills, there was neither condemnation from the Chairperson nor from the city based pressure groups.
However, reacting to this, Kharkongor said, “It is not a fact that the Commission has taken a  stoic silence. These sensitive matters were taken up with the former  Chief Justice, Meghalaya High Court last year  on the slow disposal of cases by the Special courts of the State and it was communicated that matters would be looked into”.
As for the Fast track Courts, the Commission said it cannot pass any comment since the subject matter rests with the Centre.
“Cases related to children below 18 years are dealt with the District and Sessions Judges who are the special Judges to try POCSO cases and unless the trials are not speedily disposed off, no amount of condemnation will help”, the Chairperson added