Dimapur, March 23 (MExN): The Nagaland state government has come under criticism for the delayed action in facilitating repatriation and rehabilitation of the trafficked Naga children who were rescued from an illegal home in Jaipur on March 12.
However, the state government has now started scurrying to “take back the children” following media reports, which Mamta Borgoyary, the CEO of FXB India Suraksha, an organization that assisted in the raid, points out “are not going to solve the issue.” She fears the chances of the “children being lured to be re-trafficked are high.”
The concern is not simply about bringing back the children at the earliest, but more importantly about whether the government and the families can ensure the well being and security of the children. “The crime perpetrator is well connected and if we do not take responsible actions, we fear that the fate of the children will be in danger,” Mamta says. There have been multiple reports in the media regarding the number of children from Nagaland and according to an official at the Social welfare Department, the procedures involved in verifying the children and their parents is slowing down the repatriation process.
Meanwhile, Mamta says, “We feel that the government (Nagaland) should actively get involved and not waste time in fact findings, because the fact is very clear.” FXB had sent a report listing the names of the children from Nagaland with the parents’ name, village and occupation. The report confirms seven children between the age group of 10-17 to be from Peren district who were taken to Jaipur in the pretext of providing education.
The Secretary, Department of Social Welfare, T Kiheto Sema meanwhile said the list has been sent to the Deputy Commissioner, Peren and they are working on the “Home Study Report,” and authorization process. He said the state government will send officials to Jaipur as early as Monday, while also asserting the government is capable of ensuring the children’s well being after their repatriation.
The children are now kept under the protection of Government of Rajasthan at a government licensed shelter home, I–India, Jan Kala Manch Sansthan and Surman Sansthan. In the coming days, the Nagaland government will need to focus on ensuring security and welfare of the children “who have been assigned to different gross, physical, and emotional abuse” and not just on immediate repatriation.
