Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 30:
An interaction programme themed 'Nagaland Police and World AIDS Day' was jointly organised by Police Training School and Futures Group in collaboration with the Nagaland AIDS Control Board and Project Orchid was held at the Nagaland Police Officers' Central Mess, Dimapur today.
According to sources, the session was addressed by former member of Human Rights Commission and DGP Shankar Sen, Training and Border (Nagaland) IGP CP Giri, Principal of Police Training School Singsit, Director of Essential Advocacy Project, Constlla Futures with top representatives of security force agencies in attendance.
While Shankar Sen stressed on coordinated response between law enforcing agencies and civil society to tackle HIV/AIDS problems besieging the society, CP Giri highlighted initiatives of the police department stating that HIV/AIDS had already been introduced in the police training curricula with Singsit commenting that "as law enforcers we have to be more sensitive to social concerns and work with communities such a sex workers and IDUs".
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Subhadra Menon said, "the police are key stakeholders in the overall response to HIV/AIDS.
Today HIV prevalence rate in the State is 1.5 percent and 328 people have died of which 37 are children." The Director further pointed out that problem of HIV should be viewed from the perspective of being a health problem alone as the disease affects all sections of the society for which the police with its large workforce need to play a prominent role in protecting their own health and the health of the society.
Dr Subhadra further mentioned that substantial number of personnel and officials of various security force units are well versed and trained in AIDS apart from setting up task force in Central police forces.
Responding to initiative taken by the Police Department, president of Positive People's Foundation Abemo opined that 'as the police force commands respect in the community, their involvement will go a long way in preventing the spread of HIV'.
Stating that large number of affected/infected people are living in denial and shame owing to fear and discrimination associated with the disease, Abemo exhorted this section of the society to shake off their inhibition and volunteer to create mass awareness.
other speakers called upon the police force to be positive in their approach to HIV/AIDS issue.