A new civil society organisation, Durama Imbama Norimbi Dikkimbi A’chik Ma’giparang (DINDAM), was formed on May 11 in Tura with the intention of taking up everyday social issues that the general public and the government have turned a blind eye towards.
The main issues discussed at its first meeting were drugs, alcohol and substance abuse, child abuse, human trafficking, crimes against women and children, and the preservation of indigenous and individual rights. The various issues of local women traders were also deliberated on.
DINDAM then organised a meeting of mothers, youth, church leaders, like-minded citizens and student leaders on Mothers’ Day yesterday.
The meeting was presided over by Pastor Abhik Areng. Tura Government College Students’ Union (TGCSU) president Anand Ch Momin also shared his opinions on social challenges like violence among the youth. Rev Frithing D Sangma of Hawakhana Baptist Church gave a narrative on the negative impact of drug use and the need of society to come together from all walks of life to fight the menace.
Brithaline R Marak, a member of DINDAM and a vegetable seller by profession, highlighted issues faced by others in her profession, mostly widows trying to support their families, which included deprivation of their rights by way of governmental red tape and “mafia-style functioning” of other groups with vested interests, a press release said today.
Lorenzo Salkra Marak of the Garo Students’ Union also gave a brief on the need to put more effort towards awareness of drug and substance abuse.
Fr Threnius N Sangma, the principal of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Tura, also touched upon the various interconnected points that require attention in order to move forward with the resolutions made at the meeting.
