A consultative meeting to address child safety and the role of community leaders in the context of statutory and customary laws was held on May 9 at the conference hall of the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting, organized by Prodigals\u2019 Home in collaboration with the Office of the Deputy Commissioner and supported by DKA Austria, saw participation from key community stakeholders, including representatives of GB (Sadar) Union Dimapur, Dimapur Urban Council Chairman Federation (DUCCF), and officials from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Child Helpline 1098, and the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), Dimapur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SDO (Civil Administration) Dimapur, Wiridin, chaired the session, extending a warm welcome to the participants and setting the stage for insightful deliberations. Presentations on the roles and responsibilities of the CWC and JJB were shared by Lozua Kape and Takatoba, respectively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Coordinator, CHL Dimapur, Alomi Sumi, also highlighted the activities of the DCPU and Child Helpline 1098, reporting that 212 cases of child-related issues, including missing cases, runaways, rape, and assault, were registered between April 2024 and March 2025. She informed that many cases remain unreported, underscoring the growing concern for child protection in the district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the discussion, director of Prodigals\u2019 Home, K. Ela, presented the concept of child safety and protection, drawing attention to contradictions between statutory (Indian) and customary laws. She emphasized the role of Gaon Buras and Village Council Chairmen in safeguarding children\u2019s rights within their jurisdictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President, GB Union Dimapur (S), Kholie Khapfo, acknowledged challenges in handling sensitive cases and underscored the significance of Article 371(A), stating that Nagas were not fully utilizing its provisions. He expressed concern that while Naga customary laws offer swift and humane justice, they are often overshadowed by statutory laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President DUCCF, Zasi Zakiesato, echoed similar concerns, specifically addressing the rising drug abuse among minors due to the easy availability of substances like \u201cshan\u201d and \u201csunflower\u201d. The need for a juvenile rehabilitation center was emphasized, with participants advocating for government intervention to establish such facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A common concern shared by GB and DUCCF representatives was the difficulty in dealing with juvenile delinquents and repeat offenders, as they are the first point of contact when such cases arise. They agreed on the importance of finding a balance between statutory and customary laws to ensure efficient child protection mechanisms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Concluding the session, SDO (C) Dimapur, Wiridin, emphasized the need for collective action, recommending: Increased awareness campaigns across villages and colonies; Strengthening collaboration with Gaon Buras and Village Councils as first responders; Coordinated engagement among all stakeholders; and Production and circulation of educational videos on child protection issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K. Ela, in her vote of thanks, expressed gratitude for the valuable inputs from all participants and affirmed the need for continued discussions and strategic planning for holistic child protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting concluded with an agreement to expand the dialogue by involving more stakeholders to formulate concrete strategies for protecting children\u2019s rights while integrating customary and statutory laws effectively.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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