‘Dimapur faces challenges in protecting children's rights’

Dimapur Child Welfare Committee addresses 310 Cases, 11 still pending – reverse strap

DIMAPUR — The District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) of Dimapur, Avika Zhimomi, on Friday said that Dimapur, being the hub of activities in Nagaland, faces numerous challenges that have a disproportionate impact on children.

According to the DCPO, from September 2023 to August 2025, the Child Welfare Committee in Dimapur addressed 310 cases of children requiring care and protection. Of these, 299 cases were disposed of, and 11 are still pending.

During the same period, the Child Helpline also received 499 cases, he said.

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Zhimomi was addressing a one-day awareness programme on ‘Child rights and child protection, ’ held in collaboration with the National State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NSCPCR) and District Child Protection Unit, Dimapur.

Disclosing that the Juvenile Justice Board in Dimapur registered 10 cases between January and August 2025, resolving 3 cases and having 12 pending, he expressed concern that Dimapur’s status as Nagaland’s commercial hub is contributing to an increased risk of child-related cases.

The DCPO highlighted the various categories of cases involving children in need of care and protection, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, verbal abuse, domestic abuse, emotional and substance abuse, runaway and missing children, trafficking, street children, child marriage, and abandoned children.

Child safety and protection, he asserted, requires collective effort from all stakeholders, including the government department, NGOs, and the citizens.

He implored upon everyone to work together to strengthen laws and policies, to address contradictions and gaps, to promote awareness and vigilance among the citizens, provide support and services for vulnerable children, and to be the voice for the voiceless, and create a safer and more protective environment for children in Dimapur district.

Zhimomi informed the gathering that the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) is a state-level child protection service, implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, and administered in Nagaland by the Department of Social Welfare.

He explained that under the DCPU, there are four key state-level bodies — Child Helpline (1098), a 24/7 toll-free emergency number for children in need; Child Welfare Committee (CWC), the final authority for cases involving children in need of care and protection, handling their treatment, development, and rehabilitation; Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), which deals with matters concerning juveniles in conflict with the law.

The fourth body is the Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU), which coordinates police interactions with children in conflict with the law or those in need of care and protection. These bodies work together to ensure the protection and welfare of children in the region.

Zhimomi further stated that the DCPU focuses on two main categories of children under the Juvenile Justice Act — Children in need of care and protection and children in conflict with law.

NSCPCR Chairman Alun Hangsing, in his keynote address, said that nations prioritising children's rights and protection tend to be more advanced.

Citing the phrase ‘children are the backbone of the nation,’ he stressed that it should translate into tangible action, urging stakeholders to protect children's rights effectively.

Hangsing asserted that every individual, including parents, family members and community elders, plays a crucial role in safeguarding children. He also emphasized the commission's role in monitoring the implementation of child protection programs and ensuring a safe environment for children.

The commission, he said, operates as an autonomous statutory body with a clear mandate. It has the authority to review government policies and suggest collective measures if they are not aligned with child rights. Equipped with legal powers, the commission can guide and intervene when necessary, he added.

Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, Dr. Tinojongshi Chang, in his speech, acknowledged the efforts of NSCPCR in safeguarding children's rights. The DC also appreciated the various departments that support these initiatives and emphasised that it is the authorities' responsibility to ensure these rights are protected and provided for children.