Jammu, Apr 2 (UNI) Terming lawyers as backbone of the society, the Chief Justice, High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Justice Tashi Rabstan on Wednesday called upon the legal fraternity to contribute in fighting the drug menace.
He also emphasiSed that the new criminal laws will also be instrumental in creating deterrence in society.
The Chief Justice was speaking as chief guest in a seminar on the topic “Drug Use; Addiction, Effects And Solutions: A Cue For Capacity Building Under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan” organised by the J&K High Court Bar Association Jammu in collaboration with the Criminologists Society of J&K at Lawyers Chambers, Jammu.
Justice Sanjeev Kumar presided over the function.
Sharing his experience, the Chief Justice revealed that during his tenure as Chairperson of SALSA, he would educate students in schools and colleges through innovative methods like nukkad nataks, skits and drama in addition to interactive sessions with a panel of lawyers.
The Chief Justice congratulated Advocate Rameshwar Jamwal, Balbir Singh Manhas and their team for taking up such a noble cause.
Advocate Balbir Singh Manhas Advisor Criminologists Society, presented the welcome address while the vote of thanks was presented by Advocate Ranjit Singh.
Advocate Nirmal Kotwal, President of J&K High Court Bar Association Jammu highlighted the new criminal laws with special reference to dismantling terror and separatist infrastructure apart from providing strict punishment as compared to IPC.
Rameshwar Singh Jamwal, President Criminologists Society, gave a detailed keynote address through a PowerPoint Presentation, elaborating how people develop criminal behaviour and how the children of the addicts are affected by their behaviour both genetically and epigenetically.
He highlighted the yogic and meditational techniques piloted by the Criminologists Society in the District Jail Jammu which have yielded 75 percent encouraging results.
He sought the support of senior Judiciary and the Government to reach out at grassroots level to deal with this grave issue effectively.
Justice Sanjeev Kumar, in his address, said that there are two major parties in the drug menace one is the victim who consumes it while the other who grows and peddles it.
He advocated counselling and alternative therapies for the victims while suggesting deterrent punishment for the accused.
He appreciated the role of some NGOs and Criminologists Society particularly and called upon the civil society to come forward to fight it tooth and nail. UNI VBH SSP