R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, Dec 21: Taking aim at the growing toy gun market in Ukhrul district during this Christmas season, Diocesan Social Service Society (DSSS) Ukhrul has called for concerted efforts to dissuade parents from buying toy guns for their children through its sustained ‘Anti-War Toy Campaign,’ saying the use of such toys help breed a culture of violence among the children.
Talking to media persons during a press conference held at UDWJA Office today, TS Elvis peace activist of DSSS Ukhrul who leads the campaign, said that: “The campaign was launched in Ukhrul district in 2014 by DSSS as a part of its peace education program to curb the menace of toy guns that promote violence and create negative impact on the child behaviour.
“Ukhrul is one place where parents are indiscriminate in buying toy guns, pistols for their children, while they miserably fail to realize the danger that such toys pose to the psychological and behavioural disposition of their kids,” he said.
“ Taking serious cognizance of the dangerous trend, DSSS has been campaigning at various levels of the community including the Churches, schools, colleges, SHGs among others,” Elvis maintained adding that through its intervention, the number of children buying or using toy guns in Ukhrul has been brought down by 30 percent from 50/60 percent since last year.
“But of late, with the coming of Christmas this time, the toy gun market in the district has received a boost again,” he lamented saying that creating adequate awareness among the public is vital in reversing the evil trend.
Alternatively, a ban could be imposed by the local authorities to discourage buying or using of toy guns, Elvis felt,while urging all the frontal organisations of the district to extend cooperation to DSSS in its fight against the popularity of the destructive toy guns among the children.