At a time when the problem of human trafficking is being discussed in seminars and other public platform here in Nagaland, it is obviously embarrassing and a matter of concern to hear about the latest incident wherein 14 Naga girls, allegedly involved in prostitution, had been caught by the Naga Students Union Chennai during the first and second week of May from Sripirumberatur in the outskirts of Chennai. The girls were allegedly involved in the flesh trade. The union has sent them back to their native places. As usual the girls were promised ‘good jobs’ as waitresses with free accommodation and lucrative salaries in a Korean hotel, only to land in flesh trade. This is not the first time to learn of such incidents. Earlier too, one of the unions outside the State had to send back children who were caught in a trafficking situation. And it is not that we should blame only the agents or the traffickers. It becomes obvious that parents or the family of the victims are also to be blamed for all these unwanted incidents. As rightly pointed out by the NCSU, parents must first enquire about organizations and companies and the jobs they offer before sending their children to unknown places. The Nagaland Police under the State government should also take time to cross check the plethora of recruiting agencies operating from within the State.
It will be appropriate here to mention about a comment on human trafficking by KG Balakrishnan, former Chief Justice of India. He talks about “finding creative solutions” to this serious concern. He also says and rightly so that trafficking “has to be approached in a very pragmatic and realistic manner”. In a State like ours where we have our own layers of public, legal, tribal constraints, our police force may have to improvise and deal according to the situation. One suggestion we have already mentioned in these columns is if we can come out with a state specific approach to deal with the problems of human trafficking in the local context. For this the State Police, the Nagaland State Women Commission and some NGOs should come out with a hand book which can serve as a useful guide and reference while dealing with problems of trafficking.
However on the flip side are the reasons why young women in particular get into the sex trade. We have to go beyond the moral dimension to actually deal with the problem. For instance, it is being reported that an increasing numbers of young women in France are turning to sex work to help pay the bills while they are at university, according to one of the country's leading students' unions. According to the union, 40,000 students in France - or nearly 2 per cent - fund their studies through the sex trade. It is obvious that rising cost of living, diminishing State support etc could well explain this trend. The fact that more and more people from the Naga community are getting into the profession or trade is a matter of reality that cannot be wished away. Rather than condemn it, we need to address the issue/s in a more transparent and enlightened manner without taking to secrecy, stigmatization or plain moral posturing. Prostitution should be seen less as a crime and more of a humane problem that needs sympathy, care and economic solutions.
It will be appropriate here to mention about a comment on human trafficking by KG Balakrishnan, former Chief Justice of India. He talks about “finding creative solutions” to this serious concern. He also says and rightly so that trafficking “has to be approached in a very pragmatic and realistic manner”. In a State like ours where we have our own layers of public, legal, tribal constraints, our police force may have to improvise and deal according to the situation. One suggestion we have already mentioned in these columns is if we can come out with a state specific approach to deal with the problems of human trafficking in the local context. For this the State Police, the Nagaland State Women Commission and some NGOs should come out with a hand book which can serve as a useful guide and reference while dealing with problems of trafficking.
However on the flip side are the reasons why young women in particular get into the sex trade. We have to go beyond the moral dimension to actually deal with the problem. For instance, it is being reported that an increasing numbers of young women in France are turning to sex work to help pay the bills while they are at university, according to one of the country's leading students' unions. According to the union, 40,000 students in France - or nearly 2 per cent - fund their studies through the sex trade. It is obvious that rising cost of living, diminishing State support etc could well explain this trend. The fact that more and more people from the Naga community are getting into the profession or trade is a matter of reality that cannot be wished away. Rather than condemn it, we need to address the issue/s in a more transparent and enlightened manner without taking to secrecy, stigmatization or plain moral posturing. Prostitution should be seen less as a crime and more of a humane problem that needs sympathy, care and economic solutions.
