Human trafficking in Nagaland is increasingly taking new forms linked to cybercrime, financial fraud, money laundering and forced labour, even as the state continues to serve as a key point of origin, transit and destination for trafficking, a senior government official said on Thursday, according to PTI.
Limawabang Jamir, Secretary and administrative head of the Social Welfare Department, said trafficking in Nagaland had historically included child domestic labour, commercial sexual exploitation and illegal child adoptions carried out under the guise of providing free education.
He warned that the nature of the crime was evolving, with trafficking increasingly intersecting with cybercrime, financial fraud, money laundering, commercial sexual exploitation and forced labour.
Jamir called for stronger awareness and coordinated efforts to protect women and children who may be vulnerable to trafficking.
The warning came as the state reported continued demand for services dealing with gender-based violence and women and children in distress.
Between April and June 2026, One Stop Centres (OSCs) across Nagaland handled 125 cases of gender-based violence, while Women Helpline-181 handled 53 cases involving gender-based violence and information-seeking calls, Jamir said.
The figures were released during a training programme for Mission Shakti functionaries at the State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD) in Kohima, held in connection with the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
Separately, Social Welfare Director Tosheli Zhimomi said One Stop Centres handled 311 cases during the 2025-26 financial year, while Women Helpline-181 received 2,090 calls. Of these, 144 calls required intervention and support.
The cases included domestic violence, cybercrime, sexual assault, cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, missing persons and other situations involving women in distress.
Six districts in Nagaland currently have Shakti Sadans, which provide shelter and support to survivors of domestic violence, POCSO cases and other vulnerable women in distress.
Zhimomi said Mission Shakti personnel working through One Stop Centres, Women Helpline-181 and Shakti Sadans were being trained to strengthen institutional responses to gender-based violence and trafficking.
The program was organised jointly by the National Commission for Women, Nagaland State Commission for Women and Mission Shakti under the Social Welfare Department.
Nagaland State Commission for Women chairperson W Nginyeih Konyak said the collaboration was aimed at building the capacity of frontline personnel to respond more effectively to gender-based violence and strengthen institutional mechanisms at the grassroots level.