Shillong | Meghalaya has launched a child protection initiative in East Khasi Hills to improve awareness of children’s rights, prevent sexual abuse and strengthen community-level safeguards, following reports of 55 cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in two blocks.

Named Ka Jingkyrmen, meaning ‘Hope’, the project has been launched by the Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) and the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), East Khasi Hills, in collaboration with the state government.

The initiative comes against the backdrop of 29 reported POCSO cases in Mawlai Block and 26 in Mawryngkneng Block, figures cited by Social Welfare Department Commissioner and Secretary Pravin Bakshi to underline the need for sustained preventive measures and community awareness.

Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court Revati Mohite Dere, who is also the patron-in-chief of MSLSA, said the initiative was conceived in response to cases encountered during judicial proceedings, including those involving adolescents in romantic relationships.

She stressed that under the POCSO Act, sexual activity involving a person below 18 is covered by the law, and a minor’s consent is not a legal defence. Such cases can have serious consequences for young people, including prosecution, pregnancy and disruption of education, she noted.

The Chief Justice urged children to continue their education and pursue their aspirations, emphasising the role of education in empowerment and access to future opportunities. Bakshi said Ka Jingkyrmen would prioritise legal awareness, community sensitisation and coordinated interventions involving government departments and other stakeholders.

He also highlighted existing child protection mechanisms, including Mission Vatsalya, which supports children in difficult circumstances, and Child Care Institutions that provide shelter, protection and rehabilitation to those in need.

The Child Helpline has been integrated with the Emergency Response Support System (112) and the Women Helpline (181) to improve access to assistance, he added. Justice H S Thangkhiew, a Meghalaya High Court judge and executive chairman of MSLSA, said the initiative had been developed under the Chief Justice’s directions to improve awareness among vulnerable children and communities affected by offences.

He emphasised the need to communicate legal provisions in languages that children and local communities can understand, making information about their rights and available support services more accessible.

The programme will cover children’s rights under the POCSO Act, good and bad touch, consent, personal safety and digital awareness, including protection against cybercrime and online risks. It will also publicise the Legal Services Helpline (15100), Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) and Police Emergency Helpline (112).

The initiative will bring together the Social Welfare, Health and Education departments, police, district administration, schools, teachers, students, Anganwadi workers, para-legal volunteers and traditional village institutions. Beyond preventing abuse, the project also seeks to address school dropouts by connecting children with guidance and support services.

Through Ka Jingkyrmen, the authorities aim to build stronger links between government institutions and local communities, ensuring that children are better informed about their rights and can access protection, legal assistance and rehabilitation when needed.

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