Nagaland continues to face the challenge of being a source, transit route and destination for human trafficking, with the crime becoming increasingly organised and linked to cybercrime, financial fraud, forced labour and commercial sexual exploitation, Social Welfare Department Secretary and Administrative Head of Department (AHoD) Limawabang Jamir said on Thursday.Speaking at a training programme for Mission Shakti functionaries organised by the National Commission for Women (NCW) in collaboration with the Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) and Mission Shakti under the Social Welfare Department, Jamir said trafficking in the state has largely involved child domestic labour, commercial sexual exploitation and illegal or fraudulent child adoptions carried out under the guise of providing free education.Addressing the programme, which was held at the SIRD Conference Hall in Kohima to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Jamir urged all stakeholders to strengthen awareness campaigns and equip vulnerable women and children with the knowledge needed to protect themselves from trafficking and exploitation.
He said Mission Shakti centres across Nagaland have been working to ensure the safety and security of women. According to him, the Women Helpline-181 is operational in Kohima, Sakhi One Stop Centres have been established in all 17 districts and Shakti Sadans are functioning in six districts. Jamir informed that between April and June this year, One Stop Centres handled 125 cases of gender-based violence, while Women Helpline-181 attended 53 cases involving gender-based violence and information-seeking calls. He added that Shakti Sadans are providing shelter to women in severe distress, including survivors of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) cases and domestic violence. He also appreciated the efforts of Mission Shakti personnel and said the department has taken up the issue of pending honorarium with the ministry for its early release. Nagaland State Commission for Women Chairperson W. Nginyeih Konyak said the training programme was aimed at strengthening the capacity of Mission Shakti personnel to respond effectively to gender-based violence while promoting women’s safety, justice and mental well-being.
Describing human trafficking as a modern form of slavery, she called for stronger coordination among the Social Welfare Department, NSCW, district administration, police, village councils and student bodies. She also stressed the need for long-term legal, psychological and livelihood support for survivors to prevent re-trafficking. Social Welfare Director Tosheli Zhimomi said that during 2025-26, One Stop Centres handled 311 cases, while the Women Helpline received 2,090 calls, including 144 cases that required intervention. The cases included domestic violence, cybercrime, sexual assault, POCSO offences, missing persons and other incidents involving women in distress.
