IT News
Imphal, March 28:
Even as children are often termed the future of a nation, there remains a glaring lack of a child-centric approach in addressing their welfare during Manipur’s ongoing crisis. This concern was raised by Keisham Pradipkumar, Chairperson of the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR), in an exclusive interview with Imphal Times.
Pradipkumar lamented that the issues faced by children, particularly those living as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), have been largely overlooked in media and public discourse. He expressed deep concern over the deteriorating safety and well-being of children in relief camps, recalling a recent tragic incident where a minor girl was abducted from a relief camp in Churachandpur and later found murdered. Similarly, he highlighted the Jiribam incident where six individuals, including three minors, were abducted and brutally killed by armed miscreants. He also mentioned that a teenage boy remains missing from the Joujangtek area, according to mobile tracking records, the same location where two teenagers—a boy and a girl—went missing and were later presumed dead.
Nearly two years into the conflict, approximately 25,000 children continue to live in relief camps under deplorable conditions. The MCPCR Chairperson stressed that these children are neither spared from the violence nor adequately protected.
Their education remains severely disrupted, and they suffer from malnutrition, inadequate healthcare, and poor sanitation. He pointed out the alarming state of hygiene in the relief camps, stating that there are no separate toilet facilities for boys and girls, which poses serious concerns, particularly for adolescent girls.
Apart from the physical hardships, the psychological trauma inflicted on these displaced children remains largely unaddressed. Keisham Pradipkumar emphasized that there is no designated nodal officer to coordinate mental health support, regular health check-ups, or food supply for the IDPs, particularly children. He also raised concerns over the lack of justice for crimes committed against displaced children, stating that no significant action has been taken against perpetrators despite FIRs being filed.
The MCPCR Chairperson further highlighted reports of IDP names being removed from relief camp records without explanation and urged the authorities to investigate the matter to ensure that affected families continue receiving necessary assistance. He stressed that children’s welfare must be prioritized and appealed for a comprehensive child-centric approach in policy-making and crisis management. He called upon the government, civil society, and humanitarian agencies to step up efforts in ensuring a safer and more secure environment for displaced children, emphasizing that their protection, education, and well-being must be treated as an urgent priority.
