‘Most child trafficking victims in Nagaland are domestic workers’

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Jan.8 (EMN): Hundreds of children have been trafficked to Nagaland on the pretext of jobs, education and some family relation with the trafficker or employer, and most of them end up as domestic workers or are even abused and sexually exploited by the employers. This was stated by Kevithüto Sophie, Superintendent of Police, Kohima during a district-level workshop on combating child trafficking.

The workshop was organised by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights in collaboration with Nagaland State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NSCPCR) and Seva Bharati Pubanchal at Hotel Japfu in Kohima on Wednesday.

Sophie asserted that minors are particularly vulnerable to trafficking as they are more easily manipulated and often do not realise they are the victims of crime when they are given meals and accommodations.

He informed that there is a decrease in the number of reported cases against child abuse. However, “the actual figures could be higher as many victims are still not registering cases with the police, mostly because they do not know the law or fear traffickers”.

“Child trafficking involves a number of complex crimes requiring law enforcement to collaborate with multiple partners to identify and respond to child victims, while holding accountable those who are responsible for their exploitation,” he shared.

He said that till date no anti-human trafficking cases have been registered although there are some cases registered under POCSO Act in Kohima district: 2015- eight cases; 2016- 20 cases; 2017- seven cases; 2018- four cases; 2019- seven cases.

He also informed that in Kohima district, child-friendly women police station has been set up.

Sophie further highlighted some of the challenges they faced, stating that there is lack of awareness and training for law enforcement to recognise possible child trafficking situations. He said that individuals targeted by traffickers typically do not see themselves as victims and will not disclose information, including their own exploitation because of threats made by the trafficker, making it difficult for them to properly identify the crime.

“Law enforcement also faces the challenge of identifying and securing the locations of victims because traffickers often transport victims to different areas in order to avoid detection and traffickers often move from place to place making it difficult for the law enforcement to identify victims and to investigate these crimes,” he added

Gregory Thejawelie, Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, also commented that a great deal of effort was required to ensure that our future generation get the right support through the various programmes that are being implemented by various departments.

“We also need to concentrate on various aspects particularly on the education and also the health point of view,” he asserted. He added that these activities occur because the families and the children concerned are economically backward, as people from rural places do not have the necessary financial support to give their children an education.

“Unless we do something, the trend may go from bad to worse,” he said urging the departments concerned to know the actual problem and bring it to the public domain.

MC Ongbou Chang, member of NSCPCR commented, “It is very unfortunate today in our society that humans are sold and brought like animals.”

He attributed it to poverty and lack of proper education, where children become the victims of human trafficking for promise of better living and quality education.

“In our state too, although unaccounted or unofficial, child trafficking is very much prevalent especially for forced labour, involuntary domestic helper, with or without the consent of their parents or relatives,” he stated. Chang further said that the demand for child domestic helpers in our state is promoting human trafficking as “majority household in urban towns have huge demand for child domestic helper, who are fetched from rural poor or poverty stricken families and areas, where exact figures are hard to asses or never known”.

“As reported from some service, the demand for cheap labour and sex slave especially in Dimapur and urban towns have opened doors for professional human traffickers to take the advantage, which is very unfortunate and alarming,” he said and asked the people to take critical measures and steps.

Paresh Shah, senior technical expert- Northeast cell and education- NCPCR, highlighted the responsibilities of the Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR). He also explained the rights of the child that includes the right to development, survival, participation and protection.