Nagaland State Human Rights Commission recommends reforms following Zunheboto visit

KOHIMA — The Nagaland State Human Rights Commission has recommended that the concerned departments and government look into the various flaws they witnessed during their visit to the health facilities, educational institutions, police stations, and district jail of Zunheboto district on February 26 and 27 last.

In their annual report 2024-25, the Nagaland State Human Rights Commission (NSHRC) shared that during their visit to Government Higher Secondary School, Satakha, the commission discovered that there is very low enrolment, no space for computer labs, and no science stream.

Therefore, the commission suggested that a body which can be a think tank and road map be formed at the earliest so that there is a clear vision of the direction and steps to take to resolve the low enrolment issue.

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They also recommended that proper room be provided by the education department for the computer lab at the earliest. Further, they recommended the government introduce the Science stream in classes 11 and 12, at least in the higher secondary schools situated at sub-division headquarters, in a phased manner within the coming 2-3 years.

During their visit to the Health and Wellness Centre, Satakha, the commission revealed that the centre covers five villages with a population of approximately 5000, and is functioning with two medical officers, two nurses, one GNM, one ANM, and one lab technician. They stated that there is no staff nurse posted, although two posts are available.

They discovered that the centre had an insufficient supply of essential medicines, no reagents, a lack of regular electricity supply, and no ambulance.

Thus, the commission recommended that there is a need for an ambulance considering the geographical location and the number of people the health centre covers and therefore strongly recommended the Health and Family Welfare department provide an ambulance at the earliest so that the inconvenience faced by the people in availing appropriate health services is reduced.

The commission also urged the concerned departments to look into essential medicine supply, uninterrupted supply of reagents, and adequate power supply to the health centres.

Their visit to Government Higher Secondary School, Zunheboto, also revealed that the Science lab is not fully equipped, there is a lack of library facilities, there is no school playground, there is an inadequate water supply, and there are issues of teachers being transferred in the middle of the academic session.

Taking into consideration the issues raised, they asked the commissioner and principal director of school education to look into them at the earliest and resolve them appropriately so that the school can function smoothly.

In their visit to District Hospital Zunheboto, they learnt that the hospital has a sufficient number of doctors (14), including a surgeon, dialysis facilities, and KFR and LFT testing facilities. However, certain issues were highlighted, including the need for a paediatrician, psychiatrist, and microbiologist; inadequate supply of medicines; reagents not provided; an MO (ART) post available but no candidate; and a request to create a separate under-trial prisoner (UTP) cell with a toilet.

Thus, the commission recommended the government look into the issues and make efforts to resolve them by taking necessary steps. They also directed the commissioner and principal director to take appropriate action on a priority basis.

After visiting the district jail in Zunheboto, the commission recommended renovation of toilets and wards at the earliest and on priority, separation of UTPs and convicts, and also to create a separate women’s cell inside the jail.

Further, when they visited the police station in Zunheboto, they learnt that the total strength of unarmed branch sub-inspectors (UBSIs) is 12; however, six are transferred and attached to Commissioner of Police, Dimapur. Also, the total strength is 771 including UBSIs, but 40 are on attachment elsewhere, so the effective strength is only 731.

The commission recommended that fragmentation of the allotted strength of police stations be avoided so that the lives and properties of citizens are safeguarded effectively. Also, since there is no quarter for OC Women PS, the commission strongly recommended immediate construction or designation of an existing government quarter for the OC of Women PS.

Further, the commission also visited the Atoizu PHC and found that there is only one MO, only one ASHA worker, no ultrasound facility, an inadequate supply of medicine, lab equipment available but no lab technician posted for five years, and the septic tank of the COVID-19 ward not yet completed.

Therefore, the commission asked the commissioner and secretary of Health and Family Welfare to look into the matters and do the needful on a priority basis.