MCPCR intervenes to address 'plights' of children
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 20 2016:
Following a clash between Wangkhei Hijam Leikai meira paibis and volunteers of Panthoi Esai Konung over the pulling down of a meira shed, Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) and Imphal District Police rushed to Panthoi Esai Konung to rescue the children stranded at the complex today.
A team comprising of MCPCR Chairperson S Sarat, members Montu Ahanthem and K Pradip, Imphal West District Child Welfare Committee chairperson I Bikramjit, District Child Protection Unit legal cum progression officer Ch Roshan and district child progression officer H Iboyaima reached the complex to rescue the 33 children from the place.
Wangkhei Hijam Leikai meira paibi, after the confrontation with the Ashram workers on April 17 had banned entry into Panthou Esai Konung.
Fearing further outbreak of violence, the MCPCR team reached the Esai Konung complex and offered to take the children to a safe place or hand them to their respective parents.
On the allegations that the complex is presently unsafe for the children, Ima Leishem Inat Loingshang member Th Uriba urged the team to seek the opinion of the children before taking them away.
To the surprise of the rescue team the children said they have dedicated their lives for the service of God and will not leave the place till the end of their lives.
After a lengthy dialogue, the Ima Leishem Inat Loishang members finally agreed to hand over the children to their parents.
When the team called up each parent urging them to pick up their wards from the complex, each of them replied that they have given up their children to the service of God and has no problem with them staying at the complex.
A heated confrontation took place when the commission workers backed by Imphal East District Police attempted to forcibly take away the children.
The team, however, failed to carry out their mission.
MCPCR chairperson S Sarat said the children at Panthoi Esai Konung are being used as a shield against further violence by the locality.
The team had rushed to the complex taking congnizance of media reports about children remaining fixed at the place.
It is the duty of the Commission to ensure the safety of the children, Sarat stated.
Once rescued from the complex, they will be handed over to the Child Welfare Committee who will in turn return them to their respective parents.
"These children have been skipping school since April 17," Sarat alleged.
Th Uriba however, clarified that the children are at the complex to participate in the Shajibu Ngaikham Kumhei to be held from April 22 till May 1.These children, he stated, were selected form 200 applicants to take part in a dance performance that will take place as a part of the event.
"Owing to the ban imposed by the local meira paibis, the complex is now running out of food items.
Some of the children are getting sick and there are no medicines nor a means to secure the same," he stated.
A member of Wangkhei Hijam Leikai meira paibi on the other hand said they had only banned entry into the complex.
People are allowed to leave the place but none can enter the same, she stated.
Wangkhei Hijam Leikai meira paibi, following a turf with Panthou Esai Konung volunteers over the pulling down of a meira shed, had banned entry into the complex from April 17 .
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