The participants of a consultative meeting on child
protection.
- DIMAPUR — A
consultative meeting was held on Friday at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference
hall in Dimapur to address concerns surrounding child safety and the pivotal
role of community leaders in navigating statutory and customary laws.
- A press release informed that the event, organised by
Prodigals’ Home in collaboration with the DC’s office and supported by DKA
Austria, was attended by the president and representatives of Gaon Buras
(Sadar) Union Dimapur, president and members of Dimapur Urban Council Chairman
Federation (DUCCF), officials from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), District
Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Child Helpline 1098, and Juvenile Justice Board
(JJB), Dimapur.
- Alomi Sumi, Coordinator of Child Helpline Dimapur, informed
that gathering that between April 202 and March 2025, 212 child-related
cases—including incidents of missing children, runaways, rape, and assault—were
reported to the helpline, a figure deemed alarming due to potential
underreporting.
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- K Ela, Director of Prodigals’ Home, elaborated on the
concept of child safety within the unique socio-legal context of Nagaland,
highlighting conflicts and contradictions often encountered between Indian
statutory laws and Naga customary laws. She stressed the critical roles of Gaon
Buras and village council leaders as frontline protectors of children’s rights.
- During the interactive session, Kholie Khapfo, President of
the GB Union Dimapur , shared the challenges faced by GBs in managing sensitive
cases and flagged the underutilisation of Article 371(A).
