3 children go missing daily in Nagaland, says ADCP Dr. Tiamenla Phom

DIMAPUR — In a shocking revelation, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) (Women and Juvenile), Dr. Tiamenla Phom, has said that a minimum of three cases of children (below 18 years) going missing were reported in the police station daily, on an average, after the COVID pandemic, signalling a concerning surge in such incidents.

About 70% of the missing cases reported in the police station are children below the age of 18, out of which 80% of them have been successfully rescued by the authorities, said the police officer without mentioning the total number cases and the exact duration.

She was addressing the “World Day against trafficking in persons” programme organised by Miqlat ministry, Nagaland Baptist Church Council Women Department, on the theme “Reach Every Victim of Trafficking, Leave no One Behind” at  Miqlat Ministry, Seluophe village on Friday.

Shedding light on prevalence of human trafficking in Nagaland, particularly Dimapur, the police officer said the menace can be broadly viewed from two aspects — trafficking of children and sex trafficking.

On child trafficking in the state, Phom said that it revolves around the practice of bringing children from economically disadvantaged sections of society to serve as domestic helpers. She added that this distressing trend is closely tied to the uneven urbanisation, where the rich are getting richer while the poor remains poor.

She pointed out that a significant majority of domestic helpers in Dimapur and Kohima are brought in from the eastern region of Nagaland.

Certain individuals acting as middlemen or “dalals” facilitate the trafficking of children by charging commissions from the parents or guardians of the children, thereby engaging in exploitative practices that fall under the category of child exploitation, she added.

Cases involving physical abuse, sexual abuse, and child exploitation do not come to light as the parents themselves are reluctant to register complaints as society tends to be quick to point fingers at individuals who come forward to report such incidents, making it even more challenging for victims and their families to seek justice and protection, she lamented.

Phom urged for a deep introspection and retrospection regarding the prevailing situation of human trafficking in the Naga society, saying that there is lack of awareness about the ground reality and the actual extent of the issue despite being widely discussed.

This lack of understanding, she said, is evident not only among individuals but also in institutions such as churches, communities, and even the government.

Asserting that her primary concern lies in the lack of non-state response regarding the issue of human trafficking, the police officer said community participation is crucial in curbing the menace. But unfortunately, till date, there has been a notable absence of initiatives from churches, colonies and villages to address human trafficking, she lamented.

Phom said that despite the presence of numerous NGOs, there is not a single dedicated organisation and department that deals with the human trafficking issue.

Amidst the rising unemployment rate in Nagaland, there is a growing concern that individuals seeking better opportunities may end up leaving the state and becoming vulnerable to human trafficking, she said, while suggesting that every village, every ward and organisation can maintain a detailed record of individuals leaving or entering their jurisdiction for various purposes.

The programme also saw pastor of Covenant Baptist Church, Dimapur, Yabang Longkumer speaking on “Church response to human trafficking” while Miqlat ministry coordinator Alole Tsuhah delivered the welcome address.

Gorkha Baptist Church, Singrijan pastor Rudra Ramauli proposed the invocation prayer and Kekhrie Ringa presented a song.