Dimapur, Sept 23 (MExN): Nagaland Governor Shyamal Datta today attended the workshop on Child Trafficking at Tourist Lodge, Dimapur as the Chief Guest. The workshop titled ‘State Consultation on Right Based Anti-trafficking Programming, Nagaland’ was implemented by the Impulse NGO Network, Shillong and supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
The State partners towards the venture were the Bethesda Youth Welfare Centre and Prodigal’s Home.
Both NGOs are based in Dimapur. Datta stressed on the need for society to battle the menace of human trafficking as this problem could not be addressed by the family alone.
“The problem needs to be addressed in a holistic manner,” he said.
He advocated the urgency of bringing together all agents concerned to combat the menace, be it government organizations, NGOs or other public leaders. The growth in human trafficking trends is a sad reflection on the society, the Governor said.
He dwelt on the need to open opportunities for engagement of minds towards addressing the issue effectively while saying that the trafficking problem needs sensitivity.
Campaigning for the formation of a National Commission for women and children, Datta said that the problem needs to be addressed by networking with international agencies.
In the context of Nagaland, the first citizen informed that not a single case of trafficking was reported in Nagaland as per Police statistics.
He however did not fail to mention that statistics could belie the truth and that such cases could go unreported. He revealed that human trafficking was being adopted by crime syndicates as it was a ‘money-spinning business.’
The crime generates eight to ten billion dollars annually, he informed. He further said that the Meghalaya model implemented for combating the menace was a workable one for Nagaland while saying that ‘western’ models were not appropriate for Indian societies.
Hasina Kharbih, President of the Impulse NGO Network, while presenting a slide show emphasized on the need to develop a strategy in replicating the Meghalaya model.
To address the problem, there has to be networking on a shared approach connecting the entire of North East India, she said. Kharbih further called for a framework development between law enforcement agencies, short-stay homes, government departments and NGOs representing all districts.
Shyamal Datta who is also the President of the Rajya Sainik Board (RSB), Nagaland today visited the Sainik Bhavan (Ex-Servicemen Rest House cum office), Dimapur immediately after attending the workshop on human trafficking at the Tourist Lodge.
Datta has shown a lot of initiative towards the construction of the Bhavan and is known as the ‘Godfather’ of ex-servicemen of Nagaland.
The Sainik Bhavan was earlier inaugurated by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. The Governor expressed his happiness over the construction of the rest house which had been pending for quite some time.
He told the ex-servicemen to take pride in the Bhawan and to maintain it properly. He further extended his gratitude to the Chief Minister for his help towards the construction of the Bhawan.
Rio is the Vice President of the Rajya Sainik Board. About 150 ex-servicemen, widows and prospective members of the proposed Zila Sainik Board, Dimapur were present.
The members include Y Vikheho Awomi, Chairman of the Dimapur Municipal Council, Savi Liegisie, President, Naga Council Dimapur, Manik Bhattacharjee, Social Worker, Captain Hekiye Sema, President, Nagaland Ex-Services League, Colonel MC Pradhan, Administrative Commandant and Lt. Colonel Gautam Dar, Station Staff Officer, Military Station HQ, Rangapahar.
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