Policemen in Kozhikode district are now aware of the nuances of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, thanks to the ‘POCSO Alert’ programme, a part of the National Legal Services Authority’s (NALSA) scheme for child-friendly legal services.
Director General of Police (north zone) Rajesh Dewan and District Judge A. Sankaran Nair together made the ‘Total POCSO Literate Police District’ declaration here on Tuesday, which made Kozhikode the first district in the State to complete the programme.
The policemen were trained for months under the aegis of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) and Childline using a pre-designed module. They were not just given information about the sections in the Act, but the provisions, and the role of police in every situation with the help of case studies. Classes were held on all Fridays from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the circle offices. The classes were coordinated and conducted by DLSA Secretary R.L. Baiju, Childline District Coordinator M.P. Muhammadali and Juvenile ASI N. Radhakrishnan.
District Police Chief Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar presided over the valedictory function of the first phase of POCSO Alert. Deputy Commissioner of Police Merin Joseph, CWC Chairman K. Rajan and Childline Nodal Director E.P. Imbichikoya spoke on the occasion
Childline District Coordinator M.P. Muhammedali said the alarming rise of child abuse cases in the district had prompted the Childline to launch the project which would focus on teachers and doctors in the district in the next phases.