Over 5500 distress calls received by Childline Nagaland in 2025

Nagaland needs honest introspection on child protection, says NCPCR Member Secretary

Morung Express News
Kohima | March 20

A strong call for collective action to safeguard child rights echoed at a state-level conference on child right related issues on March 20, where officials emphasised that children are not just the future, but the very foundation of a just and progressive society.

Sharing data, the Secretary of Social Welfare, Yongchingkumla revealed that the Childline 1098 control room in the state received 5557 calls between January to December 2025, of which 1592 required intervention. While this reflects the scale of challenges, she said, it also indicates growing awareness and willingness among people to report issues.

In his keynote address through video conference, Dr Sanjeev Sharma, Member Secretary, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) noted that while Nagaland is often considered relatively safe for children, “there is a need for honest introspection.”

Highlighting gaps in education, particularly in retention, learning outcomes and access in remote areas, he also pointed out that cases under child protection laws are often underreported due to stigma and reliance on informal systems.

Sharma further observed that although the state records low levels of juvenile delinquency and child marriage, hidden forms of child labour and other vulnerabilities still persist. Stressing the importance of schools, he said they play a critical role not just in education but also in ensuring children’s safety, mental well-being and early identification of risks.

Highlighting in brief the national efforts, he informed that the NCPCR has disposed of around 31000 complaints in recent months, rescued nearly 2800 children, and facilitated the repatriation of about 1800 children. 

Emphasising on the need for capacity building at the grassroots level, including training for teachers, police and child protection officials, Sharma spoke about several initiatives undertaken by NCPCR that focuses on children’s mental health, tackling child sexual abuse material through technology and improving conditions for vulnerable children.

Stating that children are the cornerstone of a nation’s future, and the values instilled in them today will shape the country’s character in the years ahead, Yongchingkumla stated that child rights are fundamental human rights adding that every child irrespective of background or gender has the right to dignity, safety, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.

However, she also pointed out that despite various policies and initiatives, many children continue to face harsh realities, including child labour, trafficking, abuse, early marriage and lack of access to quality education and healthcare. “Each case is not just a statistic or policy concerns, but a lived experience of a child whose childhood are being compromised and these realities reminds us that while progress has been made, our journey is far from complete,” the Secretary said.

Director of Social Welfare, Tosheli Zhimomi underscored that ensuring the rights of children is a moral obligation that defines the humanity of a nation. Highlighting the need for equal opportunities, she asserted that every child deserves access to education, healthcare, and protection from abuse, exploitation, and neglect. 

The conference, Zhimomi noted, serves as a vital platform for dialogue, collaboration and the exchange of ideas to tackle the challenges faced by children, while strengthening partnerships to build a more child-friendly society.

Paresh Shah, Senior Technical Expert, Division Head, Programs and Special Cells of NCPCR in his remarks through video conference said, Nagaland holds a unique position with strong community structures and relatively lower incidence of child protection issues. 

However, he cautioned against complacency, pointing to emerging concerns such as substance abuse, trafficking risks, gaps in quality education and the need for stronger reporting mechanisms.

He stressed that child protection requires coordinated efforts across departments, active community participation, and a focus on early identification and timely intervention. “Every statistic represents a real child whose future depends on how effectively we respond,” he said.

During the technical session various topics were discussed with VM Yhome, Additional SP, Cyber, PHQ; L Sashimongla Jamir, Special Public Prosecutor, Kohima District Court and K Ela, Child Rights Expert & Director, Prodigal Home, Dimapur as resource persons.

Reviews implementation of JJ Act, POCSO in Nagaland
The concept stated that the objectives of the conference among others is to assess ground-level implementation of Juvenile Justice Act2015 and POCSO Act 2012 in Nagaland and enhance coordination among state departments, civil society, CWCs, Police, judiciary, educators and stakeholders.

Children in Nagaland, it stated face vulnerabilities such as displacement due to insurgency, trafficking, sexual exploitation and unsafe environments with an urgent need to revisit the existing systems and identify opportunities to strengthen child protection mechanisms.

The conference organised by NCPCR in collaboration with Mission Vatsalya, Department of Social Welfare brought together officials from government departments, institutions, NGOs, and child protection units. The programme was held at SIRD conference hall, Kohima.