Rights activists call for passing the State Child Rights policy pending for over years with the government

Rights activists working in various fields particularly those directly dealing with Child Rights related issues in Manipur today called on the government of Manipur to pass and adopt the State Child Rights policy that was recommended by penal experts under proper channel in 2017.
“A draft copy of the Manipur State Policy for Child Rights was prepared after a series of discourse and consultation with various experts in the field and those working on the ground in 2017”,  former Chairperson of the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR), S. Sharat Kumar Sharma told today while speaking as Chief Guest to the inaugural session of the ‘One Day Advocacy Meeting for likeminded stakeholders on State Policy, Child Rights and issues, Our Roles and Responsibilities’ held at the office premises of the Wide Angle Social Development Organization at Moirang Hanuba, Imphal West.
He said that the draft policy for Manipur State Policy for Child Rights was passed with due formalities of the government and it remained pending with the state cabinet. Once the cabinet passed the Child Policy and published it in the Gazette, issues related to children can be handled effectively and judiciously. The former Chairperson of the MCPCR and also former Director of the Social Welfare Department, Govt. of Manipur further said that as a government policy for the Rights of children is urgently required, all stakeholders – Child Rights activists and even people who want to see the children of today shines for a better Manipur should together come and urge the government to approve and adopt the ‘Policy’ that is pending with the government for over six (6) years.
Montu Ahanthem, Secretary of the Wide Angle Social Development Organization, who presided over the inaugural session, said that even public opinion, which is mandatory for framing of the policy of public needs has also been completed.
“I don’t know why the government is not taking up the matter, either this government is not passing and adopting the policy knowingly or unknowingly is a matter that we are concerned about”, Montu Ahanthem said.
He added that stakeholders working for the welfare of the children and the future of Manipur should now come together and make a final push to the authority for approval and adoption of the State Policy for Child Rights.
We are in a conflict situation and the conflict is turning to another disastrous facet. Saying so we cannot let the future be ruined, and for that we need our children to be groomed and nurtured to make them healthy and intelligent. Rights activist, Keisham Pradipkumar, former member of the MCPCR, who spoke as a resource person in the technical session of the advocacy programme said that even though many including all sections of people come out to extend help to the internally displaced people who are presently taking shelter at various relief camps due to the ongoing crisis in the state, there is a lot of requirement in streamlining while on how they provide the assistance. Especially when it comes to children which are estimated to be around 23 thousand, people need systematic dealing with these sections.
“Announcement for opening of schools, providing food and water is not only what is required for the children who have experience the worst situation that impact them mentally and psychologically”, Keisham Pradip said adding that if there is a policy for the Rights of the Child maximum problem of taking care of those in relief centers could have been solved.
According to some media reports, as many as 23,000 under the age of 18 are affected by the ongoing conflict. Pradip however said that the number may be more. He said that without thinking about how the children will study at the relief center, the opening of schools is not going to help them. Most relief camps lack proper sanitation systems and children are exposed to many vulnerable diseases. When it comes to proper care of children, almost all departments need to work together by formulating policies to ensure, education, food, a reading room, a proper bathroom, toilets, water, and electricity, etc. and this could be only ensured after the state has a proper policy for the Rights of Children.
Former Chairperson of the CWC Imphal West, Thiyam Rajkishor also attended as a resource person of today’s programme. He spoke on the Role of state institutions working on children. The inaugural session of the programme was also attended by Rinku Khumukcham as Guest of Honour.