DIMAPUR, JUN 3 (NPN): District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) Dimapur has appealed to the media and public to exercise utmost caution while reporting on matters relating to Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) cases.
In a statement, DCPO, Dimapur Avika Zhimomi said Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 prohibits disclosure of the identity of a Child in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP) and Child in Conflict with Law (CCL) in any form, while Section 23 of the POCSO Act, 2012 mandates that no report or comment concerning a child should be made without complete and authentic information and that no details which may directly or indirectly reveal the identity of the child should be disclosed.
DCPU reiterated its commitment to the protection, care and rehabilitation of children in need of care and protection. It stated that all actions undertaken by the child protection machinery were being carried out in strict compliance with the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and POCSO Act, 2012, with the best interest, safety, dignity and welfare of the child as the foremost consideration.
DCPU stated that the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) is a statutory body constituted under Section 27 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and functions as a bench vested with the powers conferred by the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 on a Metropolitan Magistrate or Judicial Magistrate First Class, as envisaged under Section 27(9) of the said Act. It said the committee is empowered under Section 30(xiii) of the Act to undertake measures for the care, protection and rehabilitation of sexually abused children reported as CNCP under the POCSO Act, 2012.
DCPU stated that, in discharge of its statutory mandate under the JJ Act and POCSO Act, all necessary steps were being undertaken in accordance with law in connection with the recent POCSO case in Dimapur.
It informed that the child was rescued by Child Helpline on May 23, 2026 upon receipt of information and necessary procedures were initiated through the concerned authorities. The unit said the child’s parents were subsequently informed and appropriate interaction with the child was facilitated in accordance with due process and child protection norms.
The unit stated that the child was provided counselling and psychosocial support and requisite interventions were undertaken through the coordinated efforts of DCPU, CWC and Child Helpline, Dimapur.
It added that all decisions relating to the care, protection and temporary placement of the child were guided by the principles of Best Interest, Safety and Right to Privacy and Confidentiality under Sec. 3 (iv), 3 (vi) and 3 (xi) of the Juvenile Justice Act.
DCPU stated that the investigation and legal proceedings in the case were being undertaken by the competent authorities in accordance with law, with the paramount objective of safeguarding the rights of the child.
Clarifying recent media reports, it said there were no restrictions on parental visits and that restrictions had been imposed only on third parties to prevent further trauma and ensure that the best interests of the child were prioritised. DCPU added that the child currently required intensive counselling, care and protection.
DCPU stated that the Child Welfare Committee remained committed to ensuring that due process was followed and that the child continued to receive appropriate care, protection and support. It appealed to all stakeholders to cooperate and ensure that the legal process was not hindered.
DCPU further urged all concerned to uphold the principle of non-stigmatising semantics under Section 3(viii) of the JJ Act, 2015 and refrain from any act, statement or conduct that could stigmatise, label or adversely affect the dignity and welfare of the child. It added that the committee and allied child protection machinery remained committed to ensuring that all legal requirements were adhered to and that due process was followed in letter and spirit.
Thursday, June 4, 2026