Child rights in poll issues advocated
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 15, 2012:
Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) and Child Rights & You (CRY) have jointly appealed to political leaders and organisations in the fray for the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly to uphold interest and rights of the children of Manipur.
The NGOs also urged the electors to support candidates who are committed or have shown commitment in protecting rights of the nation's future.
Speaking to newspersons at Hotel Nirmala here today, senior manager of CRY East Ashim Ghosh said the political scenario in Manipur is being closely monitored by the organisation since the previous hustings in 2007 with the expectation that issues concerning rights of the children would be the focus of political parties.
Unfortunately, inspite of numerous issues in Mani-pur detrimental to interest of the children political parties continue to ignore children and issues affecting them, said the NGO functionary adding that CRY is constrained to knock at the doors of the election contestants.
Ghosh also expressed confidence that child rights could be an effective political agenda in the upcoming State election if the people hold the Government accountable for any wrong committed against the children.
He also urged the electorates to demand from the future policy-makers a specific and non-negotiable entitlements for the victim children from the Government.
The senior manager also asked all the political parties for insertion of child rights in their respective election manifestoes.
MACR convenor Keisham Pradipkumar, senior media advocacy manager Abhik Bhattacharya and child rights activist Montu Ahanthem were also present at the media briefing.
Later in the day a political leaders' meet was also held at the said Hotel which was attended by representatives of the CPI (L Sotinkumar), MPP (Chingsubam Joykumar) and BJP (Kh Surchand).
Delivering the key-note address of the event, Pradipkumar said a charter of demand with rights of the children as the top priority has been placed before a number of political organisations, which when translated into action would ensure a corruption-free, safe and secure environment in Manipur.