Child marriage and labour prohibition acts under consideration for legislation in Nagaland

DIMAPUR — The Chairman of the Nagaland State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NSCPCR), Alun Hangsing, announced on Wednesday that the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act of 1986 (CLPR Act), falling under the Department of Social Welfare and Department of Labour respectively, are currently under consideration for legislation in Nagaland.

Although a definitive timeline for legislation couldn’t be given as the government is still in the process of studying the submitted Acts, he expressed optimism that the legislative process would not be prolonged.

Addressing reporters after the second convention programme of Child-Friendly Dimapur (CFD) celebrated on the theme ‘Empowering young voices’ at AIDA, Dimapur, Hangsing said the central acts cannot be automatically implemented in Nagaland because of provisions under Article 371 (A) which require the approval of the state assembly for enforcement. In this context, he highlighted the vital role played by the Law department in facilitating the legislative process.

The NSCPCR chairman also raised the issue of child labour, particularly concerning children from eastern Nagaland areas who are brought to urban areas as domestic helpers in exchange for education.

He lamented the existence of loopholes in the current system and highlighted the ongoing efforts to develop mechanisms to address these issues. At the same time, he also pointed out that, “the family condition also encourages child labour,” indicating the need for socio-economic uplift in these regions and broader societal change.

Hangsing acknowledged the positive aspects of customs and traditions in identifying the tribe and nation but noted that, in a modern context, some practices may be outdated. While stressing the importance of embracing necessary changes, he affirmed that the government of Nagaland is fully committed to protecting child rights and have also taken several measures towards this.

Further, the chairman expressed the commission’s intention to reach out to all districts to monitor matters related to child rights and emphasised the key role of co-ordination with other departments.

“The desire of the government is to provide safe, secure environment for children. As an autonomous body, we are mandated to look into all the policies of the government, and likewise, we are trying our best to keep things in place while being vigilant to child rights,” the chairman assured. 

Noting the pervasive changes with nearly everyone owning a mobile phone, providing every child with access to the internet, he expressed concern over the flourishing industries of child trafficking and child pornography, and urged parents and guardians to vigilantly monitor a child’s access to the internet and phones.

Child Friendly Dimapur was initiated in 2021 by AIDA with an aim to contribute to the promotion and enforcement of children’s rights in two statutory towns of Dimapur and Chümoukedima, along with four census towns – Kuda, Purana Bazar, Diphupar, and Rangapahar. It also envisions creating a city where all children, without discrimination, have access to their rights, enabling them to live in a secure environment and develop to their fullest potential.