Suspicious ride offer sparks child safety concerns in Kohima

• KOHIMA — Amid growing public concern over missing child reports in Nagaland, an incident in Kohima involving three school-going children has prompted fresh appeals for community vigilance.
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• The incident occurred on Friday morning when three students from a private school in Kohima were reportedly approached by a man driving a white Alto car while they waited at their regular school bus pick-up point. The stranger allegedly told the children that their school bus would not arrive and offered to drop them to school.
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• The children, however, declined the offer and later informed school authorities upon arrival at school. Accordingly, the school administration took precautions and cautioned students, staff, and teachers.

Also read: Kohima Village Students’ Union issues safety advisory amid concerns over attempts to lure children

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• Speaking to Eastern Mirror, the school principal confirmed that precautionary steps had been taken. “We are trying to take measures and steps not just for students but for all teachers and staff so that they will be on alert. Further, the parents and guardians were also informed,” the principal said. She also commended the students for being alert and reacting swiftly. “The children were quick to react and quick to understand what was happening,” she added.
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• Over the past few days, the school has been conducting regular awareness briefings in light of recent reports of missing children in the state, the principal said.
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• Police on high alert
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• Although no formal complaints have been filed regarding the incident involving the three students, the Kohima Police have placed officers on high alert.
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• Additional Superintendent of Police and PRO Kohima, Soriso Quinker, told this newspaper that no abductions or attempted kidnappings have been reported in the district so far.
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• “Though we are yet to get any formal complaints and don’t have any such cases, we cannot afford to stay complacent,” he said.
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• He informed that officers-in-charge across the district have been instructed to be on high alert, and mobile vehicle units (MVUs) have been put on standby. Police patrolling has also been intensified with increased intelligence gathering, especially in vulnerable areas. Vehicle check posts have also been set up.
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• Efforts are underway to improve inter-district coordination and enhance intelligence gathering, the PRO added.
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• Quinker also addressed a recent case involving a minor from Sepfüzou Colony who was reported missing on Thursday. He confirmed that the child was found on Friday and has since returned home. He clarified that the case was not classified as an abduction or kidnapping.

• Quinker has appealed to the public to come forward and share information with the police, adding that community policing is the need of the hour. “If the public can join hands with the police and share information, that would be very helpful,” he said.