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DIMAPUR— Human trafficking is a growing crisis in India’s Northeast, with Nagaland emerging as a source, transit point and destination of human trafficking due to several factors like unemployment, dysfunctional families, low economic status, lack of awareness and abuse of social media, among others.
Amid these challenges, the director of Miqlat Ministry, Alole Tsühah, in an exclusive interview with Eastern Mirror, shared three stories of rescue and redemption that offer hope and solace.
Mimi (name changed), a victim of sex trafficking who has successfully reintegrated into society through rehabilitation, shared that her life took a challenging turn when she dropped out of school at a young age.
After visiting a city, she was envious of her friends’ new clothes and gadgets and fell for the promise of a job from a friend and ended up working in a bar.
Despite knowing it was wrong, her craving for money eventually led her deeper into the dark world of the flesh trade until one fateful day when a police raid of their hotel resulted in her arrest.
Thereafter, she was transferred to Miqlat Centre where she underwent a year of rehabilitation. During her stay at Miqlat Centre, Mimi learnt new skills such as baking cookies and making pickles. These newfound abilities sparked her entrepreneurial spirit. But the road to transformation was not easy.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]However, one important aspect of her life-changing journey was the support she received from her church. They embraced her and reintegrated her into the church, where she also got the opportunity to share her story to educate people.
Today, Mimi has successfully reintegrated into society as a thriving entrepreneur. She has become an inspiration for those who face adversity through her journey of redemption, demonstrating that with the right support and determination, anyone can overcome the darkest chapters of their lives and find a path to success and fulfilment.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1] [bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]Tsühah told the story of Mily (name changed), whose life began with the tragic loss of her parents at a young age, leaving her in the care of her maternal aunt.
Mily desired to pursue an education, but her aunt did not permit her to attend school. Instead, Mily was burdened with a never-ending stream of domestic chores. Feeling beholden to the basic necessities provided by her aunt, Mily’s dependence instilled an ever-present fear of displeasing her benefactor.
Recognising the exploitation Mily endured, a concerned staff member alerted the ministry, spurring intervention. After much persuasion, Mily was brought to the shelter home where her world gradually broadened beyond household tasks. She underwent cutting and tailoring training and ultimately securing a job in a production unit.
Mily’s dream of education was also realised as she enrolled in a Bible course specially designed for individuals with only primary education. With determination and courage, she successfully completed the course, transforming from a shy and timid girl into a brave and refined individual.
Today, she is happily married to a supportive husband and the proud mother of a son.
Rose (name changed) also lost both her parents at a young age, prompting her grandparents to raise and educate her.
However, she dropped out of school without the consent of her grandparents and, along with her friend, started operating a booze joint. Eventually, she got married and had a son.
Her husband was an alcoholic and her in-laws were also liquor sellers. After some years, she and her husband separated. And there came a time in her life when her relationship with other family members also became estranged.
She turned into a chronic alcoholic, had multiple partners and indulged in prostitution. She compared her life to that of the Prodigal Son in the Bible.
But then came a turning point in her life: One day, she just chose change.
Tsühah recounted the night Rose arrived at the shelter amidst a torrential downpour. Covered in sores, she required medical treatment before entering rehabilitation. Since then, there has been no turning back.
They were amazed by her determination to change. Though the struggle continued, she persevered and finally became a teetotaler. Initially unable to read the Bible, Rose can now read fluently and assists new residents.
The ministry also helped Rose reestablish relationship with her family members, whom she visited and sought forgiveness from. Her family marvelled at her transformation. Today, she is accepted, loved, and looked up to.
Tsühah told Eastern Mirror that they work with at-risk girls and women, including school dropouts, victims of sexual exploitation, and human trafficking survivors. The ministry runs a shelter and rehabilitation centre, providing medical care, counselling, mentoring, therapy, skills training and economic rehabilitation.
According to her, combating human trafficking requires collaboration, so they work with the police and other agencies.
Tsühah mentioned that one of the challenges they experienced and continue to experience is the lack of knowledge and understanding regarding the gravity of this social menace and its dark realities, and secondly, many of the victims do not know that they are victims or have fallen prey to human trafficking.
In order to avoid becoming a victim of human trafficking, one must be informed and cautious of job advertisements, she said and advised “making more real friends than virtual ones.”
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