The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Andaman & Nicobar Islands, in collaboration with the International Human Rights & Crime Control Organisation (IHRCCO), conducted a legal awareness programme at the Community Hall in Chouldari on Monday. The initiative centred on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and the pressing issue of drug abuse.
The event was attended by key members of the judiciary and legal fraternity, including Chief Judicial Magistrate of South Andaman and Secretary of DLSA, Samrat Roy, and Judicial Magistrate First Class, 2nd Court, Port Blair, and Principal Magistrate of the Juvenile Justice Board, South Andaman, Jayanta Mukherjee. Representatives from IHRCCO, including National General Secretary and State President Saraswati Narayan, and panel lawyer Preeja Menon, were also present.
Addressing the gathering, Magistrate Jayanta Mukherjee spoke extensively on safeguarding girls in schools and homes as well as ensuring women’s protection in workplaces. He explained the formal mechanisms for filing complaints and described the redressal systems available under law. He further elaborated on provisions of the POCSO Act, stressing preventive measures against child sexual abuse. The session also touched upon child marriage, with Mukherjee outlining the procedures to report such cases and clarifying the responsibilities of authorities.
Chief Judicial Magistrate Samrat Roy turned the focus to drug abuse, underlining its causes and its damaging effect on youth and society. He encouraged communities to remain vigilant while also promoting the use of helpline services and welfare schemes available through the Legal Services Authorities. These include Free Legal Aid, Mediation services, Lok Adalats, and NALSA schemes. He highlighted the growing importance of pre-litigation dispute resolution as a way to reduce court burdens and ensure timely justice.
The programme began with an introductory address by IHRCCO’s Saraswati Narayan, who stressed the objectives of the awareness drive and its importance for rural communities. Throughout the session, villagers actively engaged with the dignitaries, raising legal queries related to child protection, workplace harassment, and family disputes. The officials addressed these concerns in detail, ensuring clarity on available legal remedies.
The event concluded on a positive note with enthusiastic community participation. Organisers said the programme reinforced the significance of grassroots legal literacy in ensuring the safety of women, children, and youth in the islands.
