DLSA Bandipora Intensifies Legal Awareness Drives on Drug Abuse and Child Marriage Prevention

Convener News Desk

Bandipora, Jan 06: In a sustained effort to promote social awareness and legal literacy, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Bandipora on Tuesday organised a series of awareness initiatives focusing on drug abuse prevention among youth and eradication of child marriage across the district.

In compliance with the directions of the Member Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Legal Services Authority, Ms. Shazia Tabasum, the DLSA Bandipora, under the chairmanship of Ms. Jeema Bashir and the able guidance of Secretary DLSA Bandipora, Mr. Sheikh Baber Hussain, organised a youth awareness programme under the DAWN Scheme (Drug Awareness and Wellness Navigation – For a Drug-Free India).

The programme was held in collaboration with Mindwire Educational Academy, Bandipora, in observance of National Youth Day and as per the directions of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), conveyed through the Jammu and Kashmir Legal Services Authority.

The programme aimed at sensitising students about the harmful effects of drug abuse, the importance of physical and mental wellness, and the need for informed and responsible decision-making among youth. Special emphasis was laid on the legal consequences of drug-related offences, particularly under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Students were also made aware of the role of legal aid institutions in prevention, protection and rehabilitation, besides being informed about national helpline numbers available for counselling and assistance.

Advocate Iqbal Rubbani and Advocate Toiba Tabasum, Deputy LADC Bandipora, served as resource persons and interacted extensively with the students, addressing their queries and elaborating on laws related to drug abuse and allied offences along with their legal implications. The management and staff of Mindwire Educational Academy extended full cooperation and provided necessary logistical support, while the programme witnessed active participation from students and teachers, making the session impactful and engaging. The event concluded with an appeal to the youth to stay away from drugs and contribute towards building a healthy, responsible and drug-free society.

In another significant outreach initiative, DLSA Bandipora, along with the Taluka Legal Services Committees (TLSCs) of Bandipora, Sumbal and Gurez, conducted an extensive door-to-door awareness campaign under the Ministry of Women and Child Development’s (MWCD) 100-Day “Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat” Campaign, aimed at preventing child marriage. The campaign was carried out across several areas of District Bandipora, including villages Markundal, Safapora and Dawar in Gurez.

During the campaign, Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) sensitised community members about the legal consequences of child marriage, the serious physical and psychological risks faced by children, and the importance of education, safety and informed choices for every child. Households were also informed about the availability of free legal aid services and confidential helplines for reporting incidents of child marriage.

The campaign was undertaken as per the directions of the Secretary, DLSA Bandipora, with the objective of fostering collective responsibility towards building a child-marriage-free society. DLSA Bandipora reiterated its firm commitment to protecting the rights of children and urged the public to actively cooperate in preventing child marriages across the district.