Dimapur, May 2 (EMN): Crime graft against women and children in Mon district has been reported ostensibly on the rise since 2013, while many such cases went unreported as a result of alternative form of justice involving the two parties.
This was disclosed during a consultative meeting cum sensitisation programme with police personnel held in the office of the deputy commissioner, Mon, on May 2. The programme was jointly organised by the office of the deputy commissioner, state resource centre for women (SRCW) and Nagaland state social welfare board (NSSWB).
Speaking on the occasion, Vrinda Shukla, SDPO Mon, while giving an overview of the current state of crime against women and children in Mon, reported that four adult rape cases, three murders, eight sexual harassment, two grievous hurts, two kidnapping of women for marriage, five child rapes, one child sexual assault, and two cases of child kidnapping were since 2013. She observed that many cases went unreported because crimes were hushed up and the public resort to alternative forms of justice – both of which are attached to filial and communal obligations and that sometimes obstruct the prevention of such violence.
Another existing trend was the problem of victim identification wherein children were kept as domestic help in the cities. She acknowledges that while many were well taken care of, many were subjected to abuse.
Alcoholism, drug addiction, adultery and abandonment of wives were continuously leading to financial and emotional abuse upon the wives and children, she stated.
She has suggested regular training to remain updated about the laws and realities to respond to such crime effectively. She has also acknowledged on the need for better infrastructure and resources, especially the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), being the basic requirement, for active functioning of police services in the state.
Mon DC, Thavaseelan K, has stressed on the need for sensitising the stakeholders on such issues and existing government schemes saying it would not only create awareness but also lead to effective protection and rehabilitation of the victims.
Gracy Aye, SRCW state coordinator, gave an overview of the new schemes initiated by the ministry of women and child development, GoI, such as Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BPPP), Sakhi – One Stop Centre (OSC) and the Women Helpline 181.
Bano Vinito, chairperson of NSSWB, has encouraged the uniformed personnel to be more expressive and verbal in dealing with matters of violence against women and children regardless of societal obligations. She has stressed on the need for convergence amongst various stakeholders of society to effectively implement these schemes.
Topha Konyak, DLSA panel lawyer, has highlighted on the legal services provided by the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority. Rethunglo Kikon and Lanuienla Imchen from Women Helpline 181 elaborated forms of violence and legal rights of women and children.
