Community participation sought to eliminate human trafficking

Dimapur, July 7 (EMN): While observing that many a time people do not voice out against violence of which Nagaland is not an exception, the sub-divisional officer (SDO) and nodal officer of Sakhi-One Stop Centre (OSC), Sentilong Ozukum, stated that anyone who does not voice out against violence are indirectly encouraging violence.

Ozukum stated this during a training and capacity building programme for anti-human trafficking unit (AHTU) and other stakeholders dealing with human rehabilitation of human trafficking held in Mokokchung town on July 7. Describing human trafficking as a community-wide problem, Ozukum stated that such activities could be controlled or eliminated only through community participation.

The programme was organised by the Mokokchung district administration and Sakhi-One Stop Centre (OSC), Mokokchung, in collaboration with the State Resource Centre for Women. The programme was also supported by National Commission for Women, in collaboration with Nagaland State Commission for Women, stated a DIPR report.

It stated that topics on concept, different patterns and dimensions of human trafficking and cases reported/ modus operandi of human trafficking at the district and the role of AHTU, existing response system, and legal mechanism to address human trafficking, rescue and rehabilitation services for trafficked women and children (schemes under MWCD, GoI) and role of civil society in preventing human trafficking were discussed in the programme.

Resource persons were additional superintendent of police and nodal officer of OSC, Imtimeren; panel lawyer of Mokokchung district legal services authority (MDLSA), Talijungla Longkumer; chairperson of child welfare committee, Dr. Amongla; and president of Watsu Mungdang, S Arenla Longkumer.

Case worker of OSC, Ajungla Longchar, moderated the programme.