PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Haridwar
Uttarakhand will soon have its first Place of Safety for adolescents aged 16 to 18 years who are facing trial for serious crimes. The Women Empowerment and Child Development (WECD) minister Rekha Arya on Monday laid the foundation stone for this state-of-the-art facility in Roshnabad, Haridwar, which has been funded with an investment of Rs 5.55 crore.
During the event, she emphasised that the true measure of a sensitive government is its responsibility toward the most vulnerable, misguided and neglected segments of society. “This building will not just be a structure of bricks, stones and cement, but rather a reformatory and safe centre designed to provide new directions for misguided adolescents,” she said.
Arya highlighted that the purpose of the Juvenile Justice Act (Kishore Nyay Adhiniyam) is not merely administering punishment but rather to help the reform of these children and their integration into mainstream society. “Many children turn to crime between the ages of 16 and 18 due to adverse circumstances, negative influences, or lack of proper guidance,” she said.
She further said that keeping these juveniles in the same environment as convicted criminals could be detrimental to their future. “This is why the State government has established a separate Place of Safety for the under-trial juveniles,” Arya said.
The WECD minister directed officials to ensure that the campus serves not only as a residential centre but also fosters an environment conducive to positive changes in the personalities and mindsets of the teenagers.
“Effective arrangements for education, digital literacy and skill development will be made at this facility, along with the provision of psychologists and counsellors. This way, every teenager who leaves the centre can reintegrate into society with confidence, skills and a commitment to being a responsible citizen,” the minister said.
