Sangrur, October 27:- Under the leadership of Justice Deepak Sibal, Executive Chairman of the Punjab State Legal Services Authority, SAS Nagar, and in accordance with the directions of the National Legal Services Authority, the first phase of the nationwide school awareness campaign “Safe Childhood Campaign” was launched in Sangrur district today with an awareness session at General Gurnam Singh Public School, Sangrur. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
The awareness session was led by Mr. Munish Singal, District and Sessions Judge-cum-Chairman of the District Legal Services Authority, Sangrur. He also interacted directly with the students and informed them about the noble objective of the campaign.
On this occasion, Mr. Ashish Thathai, Secretary-cum-Civil Judge (Senior Division) of the District Legal Services Authority, Sangrur; Ms. Manpreet Kaur, Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM); and the school principal, Mr. Dinesh Dev Thapliyal, were present.
Mr. Ashish Thathai educated the children about the POCSO Act, 2012. He explained their rights and the law in simple language and advised them to speak openly with trusted adults, teachers or parents whenever they face any difficulty or inappropriate behaviour. Advocate Mr. Ashi Goyal and Mr. Yogesh Kumar, a cyber expert from the Cyber Cell/Cyber Police Station, also sensitised the students about cyber safety.
Under this campaign, awareness sessions are being conducted in schools across Sangrur district from October 27 to October 31, 2026. During these sessions, judicial officers, panel advocates, para-legal volunteers, members of the Child Welfare Committee and District Child Protection Unit, cyber experts and law students will educate students about child rights, child protection, POCSO and available legal remedies; online safety; child marriage; and other forms of child exploitation and abuse.
The awareness sessions are also providing children with information about Child Helpline 1098, Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 and the Free Legal Aid Helpline 15100.
The District Legal Services Authority, Sangrur, has appealed to all parents, teachers and members of the public to extend full cooperation to this campaign to ensure a safe childhood for children.
