Correspondent
KOHIMA, JUL 30 (NPN): With human trafficking evolving into a more organised crime linked to cybercrime, financial fraud, forced labour and commercial sexual exploitation, Nagaland continues to face the dual challenge of being a source, transit route and destination for trafficking, Social Welfare department secretary and administrative head of department (AHoD) Limawabang Jamir said on Thursday.
Speaking at a training programme for Mission Shakti functionaries organised by the National Commission for Women (NCW) in collaboration with the Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) and Mission Shakti under the Social Welfare department, Jamir said trafficking in Nagaland had largely involved child domestic labour, commercial sexual exploitation, and illegal or fraudulent child adoptions disguised as opportunities for free education.
He urged all stakeholders to intensify awareness efforts and equip vulnerable women and children with the knowledge to protect themselves.
The programme, held at the SIRD Conference Hall here, also marked World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
Jamir said Mission Shakti centres across the state had been working tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of women.
He informed that Women Helpline-181 was operational in Kohima, Sakhi One Stop Centres had been established in all 17 districts and Shakti Sadans were functioning in six districts.
Highlighting the department’s recent work, he said One Stop Centres handled 125 cases of gender-based violence between April and June this year, while Women Helpline-181 attended to 53 cases involving gender-based violence and information-seeking calls. Shakti Sadans, he added, were providing shelter to women in severe distress, including survivors of POCSO cases and domestic violence.
Jamir appreciated the commitment of Mission Shakti personnel despite various challenges and said the department had taken up the issue of pending honorarium with the ministry for early release.
Calling for collective action, he stressed that women in the state must remain safe, secure and genuinely empowered.
NSCW chairperson W. Nginyeih Konyak said the training aimed to build a cadre of well-trained Mission Shakti personnel capable of responding effectively to gender-based violence while strengthening grassroots capacity and promoting mental wellbeing.
She described the programme as a convergence of safety, justice and empowerment, saying human trafficking remained a modern form of slavery preying on vulnerable women and children. She emphasised that the response must be proactive, comprehensive and relentless.
Nginyeih highlighted Mission Shakti’s role in women’s safety and empowerment and called for stronger coordination among the Social Welfare Department, NSCW, district administration, police, village councils and student bodies. She also stressed the need for long-term legal, psychological and livelihood support for survivors to prevent re-trafficking.
Social Welfare director Tosheli Zhimomi said during 2025-26, One Stop Centres handled 311 cases, while Women Helpline received 2,090 calls, including 144 requiring intervention. The cases included domestic violence, cybercrime, sexual assault, POCSO offences, missing persons and other situations involving women in distress.
She urged Mission Shakti personnel to continue working closely with Mission Vatsalya and other departmental programmes to ensure timely support for women and children.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by NSCW member Kekhrienuo Meyase. Technical sessions covered medico-legal procedures, standard operating procedures for assisting victims of gender-based violence and the legal rights of women and children.