Pocso case accused to be dealt with iron hands in west zone

Coimbatore: In a decisive move to bolster child safety, west zone inspector general of police R V Ramya Bharathi has directed the superintendents of police in Coimbatore, Tirupur, Salem, Erode, Namakkal, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and the Nilgiris districts to initiate stringent action against those accused in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act cases.During a recent review, Ramya emphasized on a "zero-tolerance" policy, instructing officials to ensure that immediate arrest and remand follow the registration of any Pocso case. To deter offenders, she has advised SPs to proactively detain habitual or serious Pocso accused people under the Goondas Act. Pointing out that more number of Pocso cases were being reported nowadays, Ramya said this was because of increased awareness. She observed that many incidents that previously went unreported were now being brought to the attention of the authorities. To sustain this momentum of awareness and prevention, personnel from all woman police stations have been tasked with the job of conducting regular school visits, she said. These sessions are designed to sensitize students on sexual harassment, eve-teasing, and the growing risks associated with social media crimes. The west zone police are also planning a series of meetings with educational institutions. These sessions would specifically target teachers and school staff to educate them on the legal consequences of involvement in Pocso-related offences and their mandatory reporting responsibilities. "By strengthening the synergy between law enforcement and schools, the department aims to create a safer environment for children in the region," she said.