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Dimapur, Mokokchung, July 30 (EMN): Longleng, Mokokchung and the Miqlat Ministry, a mission under the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), observed the ‘World Day Against Human Trafficking’ on July 30 on the theme ‘There is hope, together we can stop the traffickers, we are not powerless.’
In Longleng, the programme was held in the conference hall of the deputy commissioner, Longleng, jointly organised by the district task force (DTF), BBBP, Mahila Shakti Kendra and Sakhi-One Stop Centre with the additional deputy commissioner, Longleng, D Robin, as the special guest.
Addressing the gathering, Robin has attributed poverty, lack of employment opportunities, low socio-economy status, lack of education and lack of proper implementation of government schemes for children like mid-day meal, Poshan Abhiyan etc. as the root cause of trafficking.
He was of the opinion that solution to human trafficking could be address only if the village councils, NGOs, and churches together with government agencies do the ground work.
Speaking on the theme, the addition superintendent of police, Longleng, Atopu Sumi has described trafficking as a ‘basket of crime.’ He stated that the traffickers do not fulfil their promises to provide food and education to the innocent child but handed them over to some rich people and charge fees for the children.
To put an end such crimes in the society, he suggested the district administration and converging departments along with local bodies to undertake survey in villages and create awareness programmes. He also emphasised on two actions namely direct action and indirect action under police department for such crime.
MSK women welfare officer, Longleng, P Phungla Phom, gave away prizes to the winners of online essay competition for junior and senior category as well as online mother-daughter photograph competition.
Winners of the essay competition in junior category are Leitong Phom, Chingpang and Esapzeu, while the winners in the senior category are Longshom Phom, Spvia Jenger and Kontok Phom.
In the mother-daughter photograph competition, the winners are Atau Phom, Shumei Phom and Chuthei Phom.
In a similar programme, Miqlat Ministry commemorated the ‘World Day Against Trafficking by organising awareness programme at its centre at Seluophe village with few village leaders, women society and youths with Asha Sanchu, director of Miqlat Ministry, as the resource person.
She highlighted that the demand for domestic helpers is one of the leading reasons for an increase in human trafficking in the context of Nagaland. Mentioning that Naga people are known for being community oriented and helping one another, she however stated in the name of education, many children are exploited and their childhood are robbed. She challenged the leaders to be aware of the current social issues and also stressed on the importance of community involvement in the uplift of the society.
Also mentioning that more than 80% of the returnees, comprising mostly the youth, due to the pandemic were engaged in different sectors of work, she stated it is an opportunity for the community leaders to hold dialogue, explore the available resources and create employment opportunities for them. She pointed out that laziness is also one of the contributing factors driving young people to seek for jobs in cities.
She challenged the church leaders to be more informed to make their preaching relevant to the Naga context. She also challenged the village council leaders to exercise their authority and bring about change and transformation in the society. Referring to a survey conducted to access the progress and performance of government schools, she informed that schools where concerned village authorities were actively involved have made huge progress. She, therefore urged the community leaders to actively monitor and evaluate the community schools.
Stating that lack of education was one of the main factors for human trafficking, she has urged the community leaders to endeavour for uplift of the education system way to combat human trafficking.
“We must rapidly begin the shift from a “thing oriented” society to a “person oriented” society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism and militarism are incapable of being conquered,” Sanchu stated.
She concluded by saying, ‘true worship entails breaking the chains of bondage and releasing the prisoners free, people that are exploited and vulnerable.’
Meanwhile, the Mokokchung police, in collaboration with Sakhi- One Stop Centre, observed the ‘World Day Against Trafficking in Person’ at the office of the superintendent of police, Mokokchung on July 30.
The day also marked the felicitation of winners of the poetry competition on the topic “Committed to the cause working on the frontline to end human trafficking” which was conducted for junior category (Class 8 to 10) and senior category (Class 11 to master degrees).
In the junior category, Moanenla Lemtur was adjudged as the winner, while Ashika Gupta and Adrija Battacharya were declared as the first and second runners-up respectively, while in the senior category, Lipoksungkum Jamir was declared as the winner, while the first and second runners-up were bagged by Imolemla and Chubatemsu Kichu respectively. The winners were acknowledged with cash prize along with certificates.
SP of Mokokchung, Vishal, delivered the keynote address, while Dharam Raj, SDO Mokokchung, and Wangshinaro Yaden, centre administrator Sakhi -OSC also spoke at the event.
Further, leaflets on legal protection against human trafficking printed in both English and Ao dialect were also distributed to the citizens.