Chairperson of the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR), Keisham Pradipkumar, has called on the Government of Manipur to immediately announce the Manipur State Policy for Children, stressing that further delay would be a grave injustice to thousands of internally displaced and non-displaced children suffering the prolonged consequences of the over two-and-a-half-year-long Manipur crisis.
Speaking at the inaugural session of a one-day conference on “Gaps and Challenges in the Implementation of Child Rights Legislations” held at Hotel Classic Grande, Imphal, Pradipkumar described the ongoing situation as an “absolute protection failure” that has left children vulnerable to the cascading impacts of violence — affecting their education, behaviour, mental health, shelter, safety, and overall well-being.
The conference was jointly organised by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR).
Pradipkumar noted that around 4,000 children are currently sheltering in relief camps across Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Chandel, Tengnoupal, Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, and Kakching districts, as identified through an initiative jointly carried out by UNICEF North East and MCPCR. The initiative, with support from RIMS Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology Departments and the State Health Department, has conducted mental health and psychosocial support clinics in multiple districts. He acknowledged the proactive assistance of District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) and Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) in enrolling marginalised children under the Mission Vatsalya Sponsorship Scheme.
Highlighting the gravity of the crisis, Pradipkumar said, “Manipur today shelters more than 65,000 internally displaced persons, including around 25,000 children — the highest proportion ever recorded in any Indian state. This is not just a number. It is a reflection of lives disrupted, of futures placed on hold, and of childhoods lost to violence.”
He revealed that seven Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support Clinics have been organised across seven districts — four in the hills (Chandel, Tengnoupal, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi) and three in the valley (Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching) — reaching nearly 3,000 children in just three months. Disturbingly, the findings revealed cases of severe trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among children, with four reported suicides of displaced minors, including boys as young as 13.
Calling for immediate institutional action, he proposed the establishment of a dedicated Child Protection and Mental Health Monitoring Unit to maintain real-time data and ensure coordinated responses. He also advocated for a Mental Health Improvement Action Plan involving counselling, life skills education, art therapy, and community participation through convergence between health, education, and social welfare departments.
Pradipkumar urged schools, cultural institutions, and sports organisations to contribute toward rebuilding children’s resilience, empathy, and hope through creative and sporting activities. He further underlined the need to address both chronic and emerging child protection issues, including trafficking, early marriages, child sexual abuse, cyberbullying, child suicides, and challenges faced by gender non-conforming children.
Touching on modern challenges, he noted the growing influence of technology and artificial intelligence on children’s learning and identity, urging a balance between digital exposure and human connection.
“We must ensure that technology enhances, not replaces, real human learning, creativity, and relationships. Our children need teachers, not just algorithms; real experiences, not just virtual ones,” he asserted.
In conclusion, the MCPCR chairperson appealed to the Government of Manipur to expedite the notification of the Manipur State Policy for Children 2025, terming it an “act of commitment to save the most traumatized generation of our time.”
“The future of Manipur — its peace, healing, humanity, and progress — depends on how we protect our children today,” he declared.
During the event, Dr. Rajeev, Member Secretary of NCPCR, New Delhi, lauded MCPCR’s efforts amid the state’s turbulent conditions. He also urged the State Education Department to implement the Sugar Board initiative in all schools — a model already introduced in 14 states — to raise awareness about sugar content in foods and prevent childhood obesity.
Robert Singh Kshetrimayum, representing the state government, acknowledged the urgency of the matter and assured that efforts are underway to notify the Manipur State Policy for Children soon.
Meanwhile, Khagendra Kangjam highlighted the importance of convergence among rights panels, mentioning that MHRC, MCPCR, and MSCW have jointly conducted camp sittings in Bishnupur district to address the deprivation and challenges faced by children in relief camps.