Pratapgarh: Under the directions of the Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority (RSLSA), Jaipur, a series of legal awareness programmes were organised in schools across the Pratapgarh judicial district under the campaign “Beware of Strangers – Say No, Move Away, Tell Someone.” The campaign focused on educating schoolchildren about kidnapping, abduction, child trafficking, exploitation and measures for personal safety.

A legal awareness camp was organised at The Central Heights School, Pratapgarh, by Asha Kumari, District and Sessions Judge and Chairperson, District Legal Services Authority, Pratapgarh, and Sunder Lal Kharol, Additional District and Sessions Judge and Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Pratapgarh.

Addressing the students, Asha Kumari said the primary objective of the campaign was to make children aware of the risks associated with kidnapping and abduction and to equip them with practical safety measures. She emphasised that every child has the right to live safely, with dignity and without fear, and to pursue education in a secure environment.

She explained that kidnapping involves taking a child away from their parents or lawful guardian without permission and constitutes a serious offence. Children can be vulnerable in places such as school surroundings, tuition centres, bus stands, markets, railway stations, fairs, playgrounds and isolated roads.

Students were also informed about the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which provides legal protection against offences including kidnapping, abduction, trafficking and exploitation. The speakers highlighted that the justice system focuses not only on punishing offenders but also on the rescue, protection and rehabilitation of children.

The students were further educated about abduction, which can involve taking a person from one place to another through force, threats, deception, inducement or other fraudulent means. Children may be targeted for child labour, trafficking, forced begging, ransom or other forms of exploitation.

During the session, students were advised to remain alert to potential warning signs. These include strangers repeatedly asking about their school, home or parents; offering expensive gifts without reason; falsely claiming to know their parents; pressuring them to go to an unfamiliar location; repeatedly loitering around their school or home; suspicious vehicles repeatedly stopping in the same area; and the sudden disappearance of a friend.

Students were encouraged to immediately inform their parents, teachers or school authorities if they notice any suspicious behaviour. They were also advised to seek help through Child Helpline 1098 when necessary.

The programme also focused on child trafficking, described as a serious crime involving the illegal movement, sale, purchase or exploitation of children. Students were informed that trafficking may lead to forced labour, begging and other forms of exploitation. Speakers cautioned that trafficking does not always begin with violence; offenders may first gain the trust of children or their families before exploiting them.

Sunder Lal Kharol, Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Pratapgarh, appealed to students to speak up whenever they face a situation that makes them uncomfortable or unsafe. He said that children requiring legal assistance can contact the National Legal Services Authority helpline at 15100. In emergencies, they can contact Child Helpline 1098 or Police Helpline 112.

He further said that the District Legal Services Authority conducts legal awareness programmes in schools, villages and urban areas to educate children and parents about child rights and relevant laws, while providing legal assistance and counselling wherever required.

Speaking as a special guest, Mulshankar Meghwal, District Education Officer (Primary), Pratapgarh, stressed the importance of teaching children practical safety measures in view of increasing crimes against children. He said offenders may attempt to lure children with items such as mobile phones, chocolates or other gifts.

He emphasised that education is not limited to academic knowledge but must also help children become confident, aware and responsible citizens. He highlighted the importance of concepts such as “Stranger Danger” and “No-Go-Tell”, enabling children to recognise unsafe situations, identify inappropriate behaviour and speak up without fear.

As part of the campaign, judicial officers across the Pratapgarh judicial jurisdiction also visited various schools and interacted with students. The participating judicial officers included Suresh Bansal, Special Judge, NDPS Court; Mahendra Kumar Dave, Judge, Family Court; Vaibhav Kumar Tailor, Judge, SC/ST Court; Deepti Swami, Chief Judicial Magistrate; Tushar Sharma, Judge, Gram Nyayalaya; Tanvi Goswami, Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate; and Stuti Rathi, Additional Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate, Pratapgarh.

The judicial officers shared important information on the “Beware of Strangers – Say No, Move Away, Tell Someone” theme and encouraged students to remain alert, trust their instincts and immediately seek help from trusted adults whenever they feel threatened or unsafe.