EKHON | UKHRUL | 1 Aug 2024: Project Mukti in collaboration with District Legal Services Authority, Ukhrul and ECPAT Luxembourg observed the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons at Jubilee Hall UBC, Kamphasom, Ukhrul on 30th July 2024. The event saw the participation of school students, teachers, adolescent Club members from 13 Schools and government officials from Education department, Police, Child Welfare Committee, DLSA and non-Government Officials from NGOs, CSOs and Churches. A total of around 700 persons participated to observe the day. The day was based on the UNODC theme for WDATIP 2024 “Leave No Child Behind in the fight against Human Trafficking.”
Kengoo Zuringla IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul was the Chief Guest and Ms. Thingreiphi Lungharwoshi, President, Tangkhul Shanao Long was the Special Guest of the event. Speaking on the occasion, DC Kengoo Zuringla IAS while addressing the audience stressed upon the increasing crime rates especially child sexual abuse. She encouraged the audience with examples of a super model lady from an African country where female child genital mutilation was practiced. She urged the students to be informed about such crimes and be alert in reporting the same. She also requested the parents and teachers to be more informed and vigilant and sensitively address such issues without any ignorance.
In her Key Note address, Kimneingah Kipgen MJS, CJM cum Secretary, DLSA Ukhrul, welcomed the participants and spoke about the importance of the day. She stressed upon the initiatives taken by DLSA and the provision for free legal aid to victims of such crimes including child victims, tribal victims and women victims. She urged the NGOs and individuals to come forward and join hands with DLSA in spreading about legal services and the initiatives taken by the DLSA so that the needy persons can be benefited.
Thingreiphi Lungharwoshi, President, TSL in her speech stated that TSL is an organization that has been working on Child Sexual Abuse even when legislations such as JJ Act or POCSO were not present. She stressed that CSA was prominent earlier too however the nature and trends are continuously changing in present time. Therefore, it is very much need of the hour where people are more aware of the issue including human trafficking and should act on it. She thanked and appreciated the efforts of Project Mukti for effectively addressing such issues consistently and assisting victims of maximum cases in Ukhrul district.
The day’s program started with a prayer by Rev. Remember Rimai, Pastor of Union Baptist Church, Ukhrul. A Wungreiso Shangh, Project Officer for Project Mukti, welcomed the participants and led in oath taking where participants pledged to spread the message of child safety and evil of human trafficking and that if there is any case all will inform the appropriate authority and stand with the victim leaving no one behind.
The program featured various competitions aimed at educating and engaging the students on the issue of human trafficking. Yuimi Vashum, Lecturer at Sentinel College, served as the Quiz Master for the quiz competition. Additional competitions included a drawing/painting competition, skit/mime competition, and a quartet singing competition. These activities were designed to not only identify talented students but also to raise awareness about human trafficking and empower participants with the knowledge to recognize and respond to danger signals.
The program concluded with the announcement and felicitation of the winners of the various competitions with Certificate of Appreciation and Participation and prizes for the winners. HA Lingsangmi, SW, Project Mukti, delivered a note of gratitude, followed by a closing prayer by Rev. Soyarpam Raleng, Pastor of Meizailung Baptist Church, Ukhrul.
