Friday, August 5, 2011
State level anti-human trafficking seminar
Human trafficking and its ramification in Nagaland
In a remote corner of the globe, Nagaland is gradually waking up to the reality of the phenomenon. Though a majority of the populace may deny its existence, it has taken root here. For those who think otherwise, let it be known that it not only means trafficking of Nagas from Nagaland to other places for immoral purpose. It also encompasses keeping of under-aged domestic helps brought from far-flung villages however well intentioned it may be. The magnitude of the problem has reached such a proportion that NGOs have taken it upon themselves to address the issue with the government following suit.
As one of the government agencies shouldered with the responsibility of fighting crime, the police has also taken it upon itself to address the issue. The state police organised a state level seminar on human trafficking Thursday, August 3 dubbed ‘Anti-human trafficking-cum-workshop’ at the police conference hall, NAPTC, Chumukedima. It was attended by representatives from several NGOs at the forefront of the silently growing anti-human trafficking movement in Nagaland besides other government departments.
At the core of the discussions today was the rather ignorant concept of the people on the issue of human trafficking: ‘Everybody has knowledge that it exists but fails to understand its deeper ramification’ and ‘coming to terms with the reality that the people, even good families, are unwilling to acknowledge that they are themselves aiding it’.
L. Thechamo Lotha, IPS, ADG (Ops) presenting the keynote address remarked: “It is a matter of concern for all of us.” In the context of Nagaland he said that poverty is at the core of the problem. “We talk about child rights, labour rights but in our homes we’re practicing it.” He referred to the practice of Naga households keeping under-aged house helps and even adults who are under paid.
Police alone cannot tackle the problem, a collective effort of all spectrums of the society be it the church, NGOs, the government departments, the judiciary is the need of the hour, he said. “We’re lacking in cooperation.” Nagaland being a tribal based society, people tend to protect criminals if they hail from the same tribe. The tribe factor must not be allowed to come into play in cases of human trafficking or be it any other form of transgression, he reminded. “Unless we share intelligence, I think we’ll fail.” Indian legal system has so many stringent laws rein in the problem, he said while adding that what matters is the will to execute them.
I. Toshitsungba Aier, IPS DIG (R/HR & SJ) presented a paper on the dimensions and challenges of human trafficking. He underlined the causes of human trafficking, chief among them being poverty, for sexual exploitation, cheap labour, organ trade lack of education etc. Prostitution, pornography, sex tourism, bonded and child labour, domestic servitude and even trafficking for sports, marriage, child soldiers etc are the different types of human trafficking. He disclosed that between, January and May 2011 alone Dimapur recorded 70 missing persons cases while Kohima recorded 35. These were all human trafficking related.
Chubayanger Aier, project officer, Labour department quoting a survey conducted by the department according to a survey conducted by the department stated that nearly 50 percent of the children working as domestic helps were trafficked on their own will. Not only the demand for cheap labour but also the perception of the parents of the trafficked children that they are sending their children away for a better life is aiding the problem. Unfortunately not all the children land at the right home or place. A majority of the children originated from the eastern part of Nagaland and from along the Indo-Burma border.
It also found that not a single of the 302 families surveyed in Kohima and Dimapur had a future plan for the children they have brought while the maximum monthly stipend they paid was a paltry Rs. 500. Bonded labour, he said is ramifying into different forms which needs to be addressed. There are 995 under-aged child labours in the commercial centre of Dimapur alone working in hotels, garages and so on.
Mangyang Lima, member secretary, Nagaland State Legal Services Authority presented two papers on ‘Role of law enforcing agency & NGO under juvenile justice Act 200’ and ‘Role of law enforcing agency & NGO under Immoral Traffic (prevention) Act 1956।
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