SHILLONG, May 18: Union Minister of State for Law and Justice, Prof SP Singh Baghel on Wednesday said although the crime rate in Meghalaya is low, it is a matter of grave concern that most of the cases registered are related to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act or POCSO Act besides narcotics.
He said the rise in POCSO cases is a nationwide phenomenon.
During his two-day visit to the state, he reviewed the implementation of the centrally-sponsored schemes for infrastructure development of the subordinate judiciary.
He also chaired a series of meetings with the members of the High Court of Meghalaya and officers of the Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority and visited hospitals, dispensaries, juvenile homes etc.
“The work done is okay and utilisation certificate is also given on time.
The quality of work is good. They have made more demands for the pending work and asked to increase the budget. This year, Rs 16 crore was allotted by our ministry,” Baghel told reporters.
“I am happy that the Centre has allocated more than Rs 700 crore for the development of infrastructure, especially for the work of five POCSO courts,” he said.
Expressing concern over juvenile cases, he said of the 17 inmates at the juvenile centre, 15 were taken into custody in cases related to POCSO. Juvenile delinquency is a matter of grave concern and it has a deterrent effect on the social order in a country, he added.
“The increasing rate of juvenile crime is setting a trend world over with more involvement of youth in violent crimes. It is a serious issue for the nation which needs to be handled carefully,” the Minister said.
He stressed on the role of the society, parents and their friends. Society’s participation in sensitising matters of juvenile delinquency is important, he opined.
“There are various factors such as social, financial etc which influence the child to commit offences. It is our duty to understand what circumstances lead the child to commit the crime,” he said.
Baghel felt that religious leaders can play a dominant role in bringing the desired change in a disturbed child.
He said he was visiting Meghalaya as well as Assam as directed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the purpose is to take account of the implementation of the centrally-sponsored schemes by visiting sites and reviewing the activities.
