DIMAPUR, JUNE 21 (MExN): Helping Hands, Nagaland chapter on Friday urged the State Government and its agencies to immediately intervene and help in rescuing the Naga youths who are still languishing in the Punjab jails on a priority basis.
It stated that the recent arrest and detention of more than 40 youths from Nagaland at Punjab is just one instance out of numerous which have gone unnoticed or have been ignored by everyone, including the State Government.
This particular incident would also have gone unnoticed or ignored had it not been for the Helping Hands volunteer, Neeraj Punj, who revealed about the youths lodged in Punjab jails on non-bailable offences after they were arrested on May 14 & 15 when the Punjab Police busted two fake call centres, a press release issued by Helping Hands, Nagaland president, Dr Andrew Shoto Sema stated.
Such incidences of the past and present reveal several inadequacies of the governance, administration and the larger civil society of Nagaland, it stated.
Citing reasons, the organization said there is an acute shortage of job opportunities for the Naga youths within the state and there is no proper mechanism of the State Government in generating gainful employment for the youth, the organization said
Due to this, many Naga youths are migrating to other states, especially the metros, in search of lucrative job opportunities without proper verification. Most of these youngsters belong to rural areas and from economically deprived families, which makes them all the more desperate for any sort of employment, the organization pointed out.
Then, there is no proper mechanism at the disposal of the State Government and its departments to keep a track of the Naga youths who venture out each year in search of lucrative job opportunities. The least that is being done is only through the initiatives of various NGOs and student bodies doing yeoman service for their brothers and sisters in times of their needs.
Till date, there is no government agency which is genuinely maintaining a database or record of Naga students and youths studying or working in various towns and cities of India and abroad also, it claimed.
The organization also highlighted that when such incidences are brought to light, the follow up is done by the State Government and its departments only after the matter becomes viral or they are pressurized by the NGOs. Most parents and guardians, in such cases, cannot afford the legal fees and they simply give up.
It expressed surprise that despite there being a State Legal Service Authority for the State and DLSAs in almost all the districts of Nagaland, no genuine steps are being taken for reaching out and helping our own people who are in dire need of legal aid and remedies.
It stated that the question here is not whether the youths who have been arrested are guilty or innocent, but whether steps have been taken to give them or their families any kind of legal support or relief by the State Government or not.
“We should not forget that despite being accused of a crime, they are not criminals unless and until it is proven with facts and evidences in the court of law and therefore we should not abandon them or let them rot in prisons just because they are not from affluent and well to do families,” it appealed.
The organization suggested the government machineries including the police to properly educate the masses especially the youngsters about such job scams and set up an independent mechanism or agency for keeping a track of the movement of such youths who have gone out of the state for education or job and to keep them informed and to assist them in times of dire crises.
It also urged the general populace of the state to assist the police and administration during such times by coming together as one. Moreover, the people of other states living in our state must also make efforts to help the citizens of Nagaland who may be in dire consequences. This will boost the inter-state relationship and also help in fostering brotherly ties among people of diverse communities, it added.
