Nagaland joined the world in observing “World Day Against Trafficking in Persons” under the theme, “Reach Every Woman of Trafficking: Leave No One Behind”. To mark the day, various programmes were organised to raise awareness and increase prevention of human trafficking across the state on Saturday.
‘Nagaland, a major point of origin for human trafficking in India’
The “World Day Against Trafficking in Persons” was observed at Prodigals Home Fellowship Colony Dimapur, wherein Legal-cum-Probation Officer (LCPO), Moajungla addressed the issues, challenges, and available services related to trafficking.
The programme was organised by Dimapur District Administration and District Hub for Empowerment of Women, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and Sakhi-One Stop Centre (OsC), in collaboration with Childline, Dimapur.
Moajungla said Nagaland has been identified as a major point of origin for human trafficking in India, and that the North East region remained vulnerable due to wealth disparity and lack of employment opportunities.
She said reports indicated that 83% of missing individuals were below 18 years old, with 13% of the missing cases in Nagaland attributed to trafficking. In the period from 2015 to 2021, Moajungla said 28 victims were rescued, out of which 26 were females.
Explaining the modus operandi, Moajungla said the perpetrators have increasingly been using onsite recruitment and social media to lure victims into industries like hotels, parlours, and spas with attractive salaries. Once their mission was accomplished, she the perpetrators erase all traces of their activities by deleting websites and accounts.
Stating that various factors contribute to human trafficking in the region, she identified migration from villages to towns and cities in search of better opportunities, unemployment, poverty, lack of education, substance abuse, runaway and homeless children, mental health issues, prostitution, demand for cheap labour and sex, lack of human rights protection, conflict, natural disasters, and unsafe migration options as some of the factors.
“The victims of trafficking endure inhumane living conditions, poor diet and hygiene, physical abuse, and deprivation of basic healthcare rights. They are even vulnerable to organ trade and are subjected to sex trade enslavement”, said Moajungla.
She also highlighted the common challenges in combating trafficking, such as victims’ reluctance to report cases due to shame, stigma, fear, trauma, and threats from high-profile perpetrators or mafia involved in trafficking.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) (Women and Juvenile). Dr Tiamenla Phom while speaking on the role of police in preventing human trafficking, said Dimapur has become a hub for human trafficking in Nagaland, where children and women were traded for labor and prostitution and women were lured by work opportunities provided in other states. She said girls from Dimapur were transported to other states while girls especially from upper Assam were transported to Dimapur.
To curb this, ADCP said that police were undergoing training and capacity building (TCP) to handle Anti-Human trafficking units which specializes only on tackling human trafficking all over India.
She also spoke on the role of police in checking hotels or raiding and appealed to every ward and villages to maintain proper record on youths that was studying outside or residing in their areas to avoid missing cases.
Noting that most of the missing cases were reported only after two days, she informed that report should be made within the first 24hours as it was the most crucial time to trace them.
District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), panel lawyer Khumchuba, emphasized on legal mechanism to tackle human trafficking and also spoke on the criteria of the compensations provided to ST women and children who had less than 1lakh yearly income.
Addressing the role of civil societies in preventing human trafficking, Baptist Youth fellowship Dimapur (BYFD) general secretary, Tovikali Shohe said that human trafficking was a global crime and out of 100% human trade, 46% were elderly women and 19% girls. She further suggested that NGOs and respective department must maintain network with civil societies such as churches, councils, student bodies inorder to help and rehabilitee the victims.
The event was chaired by Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC, Sadar) Dimapur District, Khiuzan Kaurinta. Several speakers addressed the audience on the role of police in preventing human trafficking, legal mechanisms to tackle the issue, and the significance of civil societies in the fight against trafficking.
BBBP campaign launched to mark WDATP
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) campaign under the theme, “Reach every woman of trafficking: Leave No One Behind” was launched in Kiphire at the Hopongkyu Memorial Hall. The event also marked the observation of the “World Day Against Trafficking in Persons”.
According to a DIPR report, speaking at the programme, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kiphire, John Tsulise Sangtam, highlighted the gathering about the campaign. He emphasized that the BBBP scheme aims to celebrate the girl child, ensure her protection, provide education, and encourage her active participation in society.
Sangtam called for equal treatment of both males and females, urging an end to discrimination against the girl child and instead fostering an environment encouraging their progress.
He also commended the academic achievements of girls, surpassing boys in many areas, and urged them to continue excelling in their pursuits. The DC hoped the programme would lead to more women excelling in their academic careers and open up greater opportunities for them.
In a short speech, Superintendent of Police (SP) Kiphire, K. Swarnambika emphasised the importance of the BBBP schemes and the safety of women.
Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC) Kiphire, Chubamongla Kichu.