A special juvenile police unit (SJPU) was inaugurated at police lines in Guna district of Madhya Pradesh in India. The unit is created under the Juvenile Justice Act, and shall be exclusively to deal with ‘children in conflict with law’ and in need of care and protection’.
Dr. Tania Goldner, Chief of UNICEF office for Madhya Pradesh while speaking at the inaugural said that ‘Children are the most vulnerable group on account of their age and dependence, they can be easily exploited, abused and directed into undesirable channels by anti-social elements in the community. We believe children in any circumstance should be treated with dignity, reinforcing their respect for human rights. Detention should be the last resort and for the minimum necessary period. Children should be re-integrated into the community as quickly as possible.’
District Collector Guna Mukesh Gupta said that this is welcome intervention with support from UNICEF and he reiterated the need for creating awareness of child helpline 1098 and ensuring that child sensitive officials are place at the unit.
K C Jain SP Police, Guna said that this is positive step towards to help children in need and care. He added that all the police stations in Guna will have one designated child welfare officers.
Christopher Anthony Child protection Officer with UNICEF office for Madhya Pradesh shared this is in best interest of the child. Virendar Jain Additional SP Police said that this unit at the district level will function under a Police Officer who may be assisted by at least two social workers one of whom shall be woman and another preferably child expert or having relevant experience.
PS Umasree Education and Child protection Specialist with UNICEF office for Madhya Pradesh, Police officials, Police nominated Special Juvenile unit members, representatives of NGOs Aaarambh, Kalpataru, Lions and Rotary clubs and children were present at the event.
