Dimapur records maximum report of missing children at 68% the report presented at a dissemination workshop under the banner "Study of missing children with focus on child trafficking and means to tackle the same", Prodigals' Home leaders, FST workers, law students, NGO representatives, Human rights activists and Media personnel interacted at the Resource Centre, PH on December 19 .
It was with the purpose of 'massive, intensive awareness' on the topic of child rights, it added.
A person goes missing every 3.5 days Since 2007, Prodigals' Home had been collecting reports of 'missing' persons after noticing that missing reports were a regular feature in the local dailies of Nagaland.
According to the study conducted by Prodigals Home, the total number of persons missing from January 2007 till July 2009 is 276, out of which the number of children missing is said to be 230, where the male and female ratio stands equal at 50% each.
It was also reported that the Child Labor (Prevention and Regulation) Act is not being strictly enforced in Nagaland - if it were enforced in letter and in spirit many families would be in conflict with the law - many Naga families employ children below the age of 14 as domestic help.
The study by Prodigals' Home also concluded that out of the children reported missing, Naga children make up 26% while non-Naga children make up 74% .
During the workshop, a discussion was held where all the people representing different sections of the society contributed and shared ideas which resulted with the plan to create awareness, share information with the Media especially between the Press of Assam and Nagaland; strengthen the relationship between Assam and Naga police for better coordination; further study the issue at a deeper and wider level; provide training to church leaders, and to mobilise a child parliament; flag the message to school children and start community mobilisation and so on.
Also, it was recommended that every community should issue directives or regulations to respective members against employing children under 14 as domestic help.
Also, the government should set and implement effective laws and schemes related to child-trafficking.