Dimapur, May 20 (MExN): The Dimapur police administration, HIV/AIDS-centric organizations and activists today deliberated and interacted on various issues relevant in respect of prostitution, substance –abuse etc in regard to law and order, legal redress and sensitizing each other on problems faced by communities involved today at the Women Cell, Conference Hall, East Police Station, Dimapur. The platform was the One-day Sensitization Programme with the police personnel, legal groups and NGOs which was organized by the Prodigals’ Home, Dimapur.
“I hope that attitudinal change would result from the undertaking which can be addressed through community policing” Dimapur SP Bidhu Shekhar in his brief address told the participants. He expressed the need for NGO's voice on the attitude of the police and the law and order administration towards drug-addicts and Commercial Sex Workers (CSWs) particularly in the context of Dimapur. He also assured that any action of the police in regard to prostitution and CSWs would be undertaken solely by the Women Cell of the police department so as to avoid any complications.
K Ela, Assistant Director of Prodigals’ Home, enlightening the participants on the objectives of the programme called for a more concerted effort between the police administration and the NGOs who are involved in the field of HIV/AIDS, substance-abuse and likened areas. “The need for mutual cooperation and understanding in what way they can contribute (is imperative)” the assistant director said. Moanungsang of the Prodigals’ Home also delivered a discourse on the various aspects of Harm Reduction. According to the activist, harm reduction is a temporary measure to protect any individual vulnerable to HIV infection before he/she is ready for abstinence. “It involves the approach of motivating such individuals to shift to less and lesser risky behaviors as well as create enabling environment that enables the vulnerable to open up, access services and to change from unsafe to safer behaviors” Moanungsang in his discourse stated. The goal of Harm Reduction, although a long and tedious process, is to at least make risk groups/individuals reach the stage of "abstinence” HIV free.
The programmes also took cognizance of harassment of drug-addicts and CSWs by police personnel as well as complaints of extortion by police personnel were forwarded. Clarifications on the matter as well as the procedures involved to be adhered to, were clarified by police officers present.
Limasunep Jamir IPS, enlightened the participants on the various laws and statutes as provided in the constitution in regard to safeguarding the interests of the marginalized groups like drug-addicts and CSWs as well as the instruments of prosecution in the event of violation. Jamir also delivered a discourse touching the various aspects of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
One of the highlights of the sensitization programme included hilarious plays under the theme ‘Risk Behavior’ performed by members of Prodigals’ Home, depicting prostitution in its various facades. The comic skits had the entire gathering in splits as the performers creatively depicted the murkier sides of CSW-client solicitation humorously. One particular scene however, bought the house down: In the scene, the “client”, posing as a government officer amorously ran his hands all over the ‘sex-worker’ and croons lustily “Aapni to bishi sunder ase ho!” (You are so beautiful) to which the ‘sex-worker’ replies in the same vein “Hoi-ho…Aapni to ootu Church Women Leader laka moot ase na!” (Yes…but aren’t you the husband of a women Leader in the Church!)
Kihoshi Zhimomi, LLB after sharing on the various sections under law in regard to drug-abuse and sex-trafficking answered various queries from participants. Later an interaction was held on the risks of HIV/AIDS, education and sensitization by the Akimbo Society a leading group in the field. Discussions on the stand of legal and law enforcing agencies in regard to the matter were also shared.
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