Women vendors rally against child soldiers
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 29: Raising such cries as "Stop kidnapping children", "Release all kidnapped children," "Protect child rights" etc, a protest rally and a protest sitting was staged today under the aegis of the Ima Leipak Thougal Lup Khwai Ima Keithel.

The protest rally started from Nagamapal terminated at the same point after passing below BT flyover, Kangla Park road and Khoyathong.

Later the rallyists staged a protest sitting at Nagamapal where they put up placards which read as "We condemn kidnapping children", "Let children without any sense of fear or apprehension" etc.

Women vendors stage a public rally to denounce the recruitment of child soldiers

Questioning the conspicuous silence of State level civil organisation on the issue of kidnapping children, the protesters urged upon the Government to take up effective preventive measures.

They also appealed to UG groups to investigate into the issue.

Noting that a kilogram of rice now costs Rs 20, the women protesters asked the Government whether they should come out to earn their daily bread or stay at home looking after their children.

For the daily bread earners, it has become a grave dilemma whether to look after their children from being kidnapped or to earn their daily bread, they stated.

Decrying in the same vein, the incidents of kidnapping children, shopkeepers and vendors of Ngari Pareng Dukan located to the north of Maharani bridge also staged a protest sitting today.

At Khwai Singjubung Leikai, Khwai Singjubung Women's Welfare Association staged a similar protest demonstration.

Meira Paibis of Awang Potshangbam Khullen also staged a protest sitting against kidnapping children today.

They have also decided to prohibit entry of unknown persons in Awang Potshangbam Khullen.

Meanwhile, the All Manipur Government Aided School Employees Coordinating Committee, All Manipur Elementary School Teachers Association, All Manipur Recognised Private School Welfare Association, CBSE Schools Monitoring cell, DESAM and AMSU have appealed to all school authorities to prevent students in participating in protest demonstrations against kidnapping children but to allow them attend their class regularly.

Because of the current issue of kidnapping children and rumours generated by it, attendance of students in schools has been drastically reduced, they noted.

On enquiry it has also been established that there has been no demand of students from any school by any UG group.

The bodies further appealed to all UG groups to abide by international conventions against recruitment of child soldiers.