Asserting that prevalence of traditional dispute resolution mechanisms and the stigma surrounding certain crimes often deterred victims from seeking recourse through formal legal channels, the Nagaland governor, La Ganesan, on Saturday called for engaging with local communities to raise awareness, dispel myths and foster trust in the formal justice system.
According to an official bulletin, the governor said this at the State Level Workshop on POSCO ACT & NDPS Act held at Rhododendron Hall, Police Complex, Chümoukedima on April 27, 2024 jointly organised by High Court Legal Services Committee, Kohima in collaboration with department of law & justice, department of H&FW and Nagaland police.
He said that Nagaland was not immune to the complexities and intricacies of the criminal justice landscape.
“We face unique challenges that demand our attention and concerted efforts to overcome,” governor said, adding that POCSO Act, 2012, stood as a beacon of hope in the quest to shield the children from the trauma of sexual abuse and exploitation.
However, he said the effective implementation and enforcement of the legislation was hindered by a myriad of challenges.
Similarly, Ganesan said the scourge of drug abuse and trafficking continued to ravage the communities posing a grave threat to public health and safety especially that of youth.
Governor also said that Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 aimed to fight drug abuse and trafficking. However, he said it was imperative to confront the local obstacles that impeded the efficacy of the Act.
Further, governor said that among the challenges facing criminal justice system were the geographical constraints that hindered access to remote areas, the scarcity of resources and infrastructure, and the cultural nuances that influenced perceptions of crime and justice.
He said it was incumbent upon all to acknowledge those challenges and work collaboratively to address them and prioritize the training, capacity-building of our law enforcement personnel, judiciary, and medical professionals to ensure a more effective response to cases of child sexual abuse and drug-related offenses.
The governor also stressed on leveraging technology and innovation to overcome the geographical barriers and streamline processes for accessing justice.
The governor reminded that the true measure of success lay not only in the laws enacted or the cases prosecuted “but in the lives we touch and the futures we safeguard.”
He called for strengthening Nagaland’s criminal justice system by working together in shaping a brighter, safer, and more inclusive future for Nagaland.
In his address, Director General of Police (DGP) Nagaland, Rupin Sharma, stated that POSCO & NDPS cases were a matter of concern for all.
On stigmatization of the victims, the state police chief said that victim cannot be seen as an outcast in the society and stressed the need to give respect to the victims.
Shamra also said there was a need to put the system into place, where people could encourage to report and not stigmatize them besides maintaining a degree of secrecy not just of victims but also of the family and other witnesses. He urged the officers to take due care and investigate details of these cases so desired results were achieved.
DGP pointed out that 70% of Nagaland police was involved in law & order duties and not investigation purposes. “We need to change, reinvent so better professionalism and better investigation will come into Nagaland police,” Sharma said.
Police chief said that only through better investigation Nagaland police would be able to establish supremacy of law in the State and enhance trust and image in the minds of the public.
On the increasing trend in drugs, DGP told the officers that those cases were to be dealt very carefully as they directly affected the health of the society. He directed the officers to make utmost use of the workshop and see where they lacked and identify the inadequacies and plug the loopholes to fill those gaps.
Highlights of the programme included two working sessions focussing on the topics—Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 and Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, where different subjects were delivered by resource persons including Director, Judicial Academy, Assam, Justice ( Rtd) Mir Aifaz Ali; Co- founder Enfold Trust, Consultant Gynaecologist & Child Protection Trainer, Dr. Shaibya Saldanha, MD; DGP, Nagaland Rupin Sharma, and District & Sessions Judge (Rtd) & Faculty Judicial Academy, Assam, S.P. Moitra, followed by interaction. Speeches were also delivered by Commissioner & Secretary, Dept. of Law & Justice, Anoop Kinchi; Commissioner & Secretary, Dept. of H&FW, V. Kezo.