Kohima: Teenagers Khrie and Do-o ended up in a Kohima observation home after run-ins with the law. Their stories are typical of many youths currently moving through Nagaland's legal system. One struggled with a broken home, while the other fled after a family fight. Ketholeno Neihu, a case worker, noted the complex reality behind these cases: “Children in Conflict with Law may not just be criminals or offenders; they may also be Children in Need of Care and Protection.”
State Child Protection Society official Raitale Zeliang confirms that Dimapur and Kohima see the most juvenile cases. Most involve boys aged 16 to 18, though younger offenders are increasing. When police catch a minor, the law mandates they appear before a Juvenile Justice Board rather than jail. A magistrate explained: “After a CICL is apprehended, they are produced before the JJB. If bail is not granted immediately, they are kept in the Observation Home.”
Nagaland currently operates 80 registered child care institutions, including 34 government-run facilities and 46 run by NGOs. This network includes observation homes, special homes, places of safety, children’s homes, and specialized adoption agencies. For those accused of heinous crimes, the JJB may order a mental and physical assessment. If the board decides the minor should be tried as an adult, the case moves to a Children’s Court.
Despite this structure, systemic weaknesses persist. Officials cited a lack of trained security personnel and inadequate infrastructure. Some districts lack local observation homes, forcing officials to transport children across long distances. One anonymous official highlighted that the most dangerous phase for these children begins after release. Coordination between agencies remains poor, and many children face a world that rejects them once their custody ends. Without jobs or community acceptance, the transition back to society often fails.
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