The Naga People’s Front (NPF) has expressed deep concern regarding the “alarming rise in child labour” within the state. Recent reports indicate that over 11,000 children are currently engaged in labour across various sectors, including brick kilns, hotels, workshops, car washes, and domestic services. According to the NPF, “Many of these children come from poor families in backward districts, flocking to urban areas like Dimapur and Kohima in search of work.”
“This disturbing trend reflects the worsening poverty and the lack of educational opportunities for the most vulnerable in our society,” it added.
The NPF stressed that every child has the right to education, health, and a dignified childhood free from exploitation. It expressed disappointment that, despite existing laws such as the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, child labour continues to thrive in Nagaland. The situation is further compounded by “economic hardships and the weak enforcement of legal protections for children,” it said.
In response to this pressing issue, the NPF has called on the government of Nagaland to “take immediate and decisive action” to combat child labour. The party reiterated its commitment to advocating for the rights and welfare of children in the state, stating, “We strongly believe that by investing in our children today, we are safeguarding the future of Nagaland.”
“The time for action is now. Together, we can create a Nagaland where every child is a student, not a labourer,” it concluded.