Srinagar: The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Srinagar organized an awareness programme on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Drug Abuse at Government Boys Higher Secondary School (GBHSS), Nowpora.
The event was conducted under the leadership of Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority, Shazia Tabassum, chaired by Principal District and Sessions Judge, Srinagar, Tasleem Arief, and supervised by Sub-Judge/Secretary, DLSA Srinagar, Sajad Ur Rehman.
During the session, Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel, Zeenat, addressed students on the growing menace of drug abuse among youth. She highlighted how substance abuse adversely affects physical and mental health, disrupts families, and harms society. She urged students to stay away from drugs, make responsible choices, and serve as ambassadors of awareness to help create a drug-free community.
Assistant Legal Aid Defence Counsel, DLSA Srinagar, sensitized the students about the provisions and significance of the POCSO Act, outlining the legal safeguards for protecting children from sexual offences. She explained that the Act ensures a child-friendly process in reporting, evidence recording, and trial, and encouraged students to speak out against abuse and be aware of their legal rights and available support systems.
The programme concluded with an interactive session where students actively engaged and raised questions on the discussed themes.
The DLSA Srinagar reaffirmed its commitment to organizing such awareness initiatives in educational institutions to promote legal literacy and foster social responsibility among the youth.
