Guwahati, 24 February (HS): Ashutosh Kumar, Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, delivered the keynote address at the Assam Police Sishu Mitra Lecture Series organised by the Assam Police under its Sishu Mitra Programme. The lecture focused on the theme “Institutionalising Child Friendly Practices Across the Justice Delivery Chain.”

In his address, the Chief Justice reflected on the historical evolution and legal framework of child rights and underscored the contemporary challenges in ensuring their protection. Emphasising the importance of recognising children as active members of society, he stated, “Children are not citizens of the future; they are citizens of the present. Therefore, we all have a responsibility of upholding the rights of children, as enshrined in the law.” He further observed that a robust legal structure must be complemented by compassion, adding, “A strong legal framework alone cannot make the law work, unless we have empathy.”

Harmeet Singh, Director General of Police, Assam, who also serves as Chairperson of the Assam Police Sishu Mitra Programme, delivered the welcome address. He highlighted the significance of such lectures in fostering a child-friendly justice delivery system and strengthening institutional sensitivity. Echoing the Chief Justice’s remarks, he said that empathy remains central to implementing children’s rights and affirmed that the Assam Police would continue to reinforce child-friendly practices at every stage of policing across the state.

The programme was attended by Judges of the Gauhati High Court, including Kalyan Rai Surana, Arun Dev Choudhury and Mridul Kumar Kalita. Judges of POCSO Courts, senior officials from various government departments and the judiciary, duty bearers from the child protection system and officers of the Assam Police were also present.

The event was organised in collaboration with UNICEF and UTSAH Child Rights Organisation, an Assam-based child rights organisation.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash