96 children detained in Observation Home Dimapur over 5 years

Our Reporter
Dimapur, March 28 (EMN): A total of 96 children have been detained in the Observation Home Dimapur, through Juvenile Justice Board, from March 2017 till date, and there is only one detainee at present.

This was informed by the Superintendent of Observation Home Dimapur, Juvily Kitho, on Monday during the inaugural programme of a building at Chumoukedima for temporary reception of juveniles.

The department clarified that the project was initiated before Chumoukedima was declared a separate district, and therefore the name “Observation Home Dimapur”.

Observation homes are meant for temporary reception of juveniles in conflict with law during the pendency of any inquiry against the child. The apprehended children can normally be detained under probation for up to four months in the home, Kitho informed.

Sharing about the activities conducted in the home, she said that, to help the juveniles develop to their full potential and be happy in the home, they conduct and engage them in various activities including informal education, counselling and guidance through experts, life skill education, arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor games, and morning and evening prayer meetings.

She updated that the home functions with 10 working staff for the children.

Society Director of Child Protection Services, Nokcharenla Longchar informed that 11 observation homes have been set up in 11 districts under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) scheme. She added that all the 11 observation homes started at rented building, but three of them, including Dimapur now operate in its own buildings, while the construction of the remaining eight such facilities are underway.

Martha Ritse, Commissioner and Secretary of Social Welfare Department, stated that the state child protection services has been there for more than a decade, catering to the rights and protection of children of different categories in such homes across the state.

She also asked the stakeholders to come together, co-ordinate, co-operate and ensure that “the children who are under this home are not found wanting of the services they deserve”.

‘The Juvenile Justice System assumes that a child offender is a product of unfavourable environment and is entitled to a fresh chance to gain in life, and therefore, as caregivers in juvenile home, you have a great responsibility to help these children achieve their full potential and contribute positively towards the betterment of the society,’ she stated.

She further encouraged the staff of the home to be sincere in executing their duties and make it an exemplary model home for others to follow.

Earlier in the day, Ritse also inaugurated a new vehicle provided to the children home with special need in Chumoukedima, which is also the first and only government-run home meant for children with special needs.

Director of Social Welfare department, Tosheli Zhimomi told the gathering that with the new building, “we expect that we will be able to give more contribution”.

‘Every home plays an important role as we are not dealing with normal children but the those who are in conflict with law,’ she added.