Editor
In Short: Dimapur's Police Commissioner, Kevithuto Sophie, urges public cooperation to combat extortion and address social problems. Stakeholders discuss sharing information, tackling drug abuse stigma, and supporting HIV-infected individuals. Civil society organizations attend the meeting, showing commitment to finding solutions.
Sophie stressed the need for collective responsibility in addressing social problems such as drug trafficking, extortion, illegal taxation, liquor adulteration, and Inner Line Permit issues. He urged public leaders to provide timely information to the police for necessary action to be taken.
During the meeting, K. Ela, the director of Prodigals Home, highlighted the mistreatment faced by drug users, emphasizing that they should not be treated as criminals or harassed. Ela called for mutual respect and cooperation in finding solutions to the problem rather than exacerbating it.
Similarly, Anna from PFO Dimapur spoke about the ill-treatment of HIV-infected individuals and sex workers, urging society to eliminate the stigma associated with them. She emphasized the need to address the issue constructively rather than victimizing those already suffering.
Yambemo Ngullie, a panel lawyer from DLSA, discussed the rights of accused or convicted individuals, highlighting that one cannot be considered guilty unless proven so. He suggested that instead of imprisoning drug addicts, they should be placed in rehabilitation centers to help them overcome their addiction. Ngullie also called upon electronic media to protect the identity of accused individuals, as per Supreme Court guidelines.
The meeting was attended by representatives from various civil society organizations who discussed these pertinent issues.