Sri Vijaya Puram, July 13: The Andaman & Nicobar State Legal Services Authority, in association with the District Legal Services Authority, organized a Legal Awareness Programme on ‘Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace’ (POSH Act) and ‘Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act’ (POCSO Act) on 12th July 2025 at the Community Hall of Ward No. 1, Haddo, Sri Vijaya Puram.
The programme was graced by the august presence of Shri Rashid Alam, Learned Registrar, Circuit Bench at Port Blair, Calcutta High Court-cum-Member Secretary, A&N SLSA, along with Shri Niyaz Alam, Learned Additional District & Sessions Judge/Special Judge, POCSO Court, Port Blair, Shri Samrat Roy, Learned Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, DLSA, A&N Islands, Ms. Tasneem Abid, Learned Special Public Prosecutor, Port Blair and Ms. Aakansha Singh, Learned Advocate. The event was also attended by Shri R. Someswar Rao, Municipal Councillor, Ward No. 2.
The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation by Anganwadi Workers, women staff of Social Welfare Department, and residents of Haddo Village. During the session, the Learned Judges elaborated on the provisions of POCSO Act, sensitizing the participants about the concepts of good touch and bad touch, and explained the working mechanisms and implementation of the POSH Act to ensure a safe and dignified workplace for women.
Shri Rashid Alam, Member Secretary of A&N SLSA, also addressed the gathering and explained the objectives and key provisions of POCSO Act, which provides for stringent punishment for sexual offences against children and mandates child-friendly procedures during investigation and trial. He further highlighted the POSH Act, emphasizing the legal obligations of every workplace to constitute Internal Complaints Committees, provide a safe environment free from harassment, and take prompt action on complaints. He stressed that awareness and timely reporting are essential to protect the rights of victims and uphold the rule of law.
Ms. Tasneem Abid, Learned Special Public Prosecutor, spoke in detail about the sensitive handling of POCSO victims, emphasizing the importance of creating a supportive environment, maintaining empathy, and ensuring that girl children are kept in safe custody and protective care. She highlighted the responsibilities of all stakeholders—including police officers, medical professionals, and welfare authorities—to protect the rights and dignity of minor victims at every stage of the process.
Shri Niyaz Alam, Learned Additional District & Sessions Judge and Special Judge for POCSO cases, explained the special procedures prescribed under the POCSO Act to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of victims, including in-camera proceedings, restrictions on media reporting, and strict prohibitions on disclosing the identity of the child victim. He underscored the importance of a victim-centric approach to investigation and trial and the need to create a safe space to reduce trauma and ensure access to justice.
Shri Samrat Roy, Secretary, DLSA, also highlighted the various initiatives of the Legal Services Authorities, including free legal aid services, victim compensation schemes, and the NALSA SAATHI campaign, which focuses on Aadhaar registration, legal identity, and the empowerment of destitute children through access to welfare entitlements and protection under child welfare laws.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Shri R. Someswar Rao, Councillor, Haddo Ward No. 2, who appreciated the efforts of the Legal Services Authorities in spreading legal awareness and strengthening community welfare.