'Forced utilisation of children punishable under JJ Act'
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 17 2023: Forcible utilisation of children below the age of 18 years as 'armed soldiers' by non-state actors, self-styled militant group or outfit as also in bandh/blockade, general strike or protest are punishable under different sections of Juvenile Justice Care & Protection (JJ) Act, 2005, stated Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) chairperson Phurailatpam Manibabu.

In an interaction with some media persons at MCPCR office, North AOC, here, on Thursday, Phurailatpam Manibabu said it was very unfortunate that video clips and photos of arms training provided to children below the age of 18 years in connection with the ongoing violence in Manipur are being uploaded on social media.

Since the eruption of violence on May 3, some people are misutilising underaged children in different acts including spreading of hate slogan against a particular community and even to the chief minister.

However, those misutilising underaged children should understand that forcible utilisation of children below the age of 18 years is punishsable under different sections of JJ Act like imprisonment of seven years and imposing fine of Rs 5 lakh or both, he explained and appealed to people not to utlise children beyond JJ Act norms.

He also said that DGP Manipur has been asked to investigate into misutilisation of underaged children particularly on providing arms training.

According to Phurailatpam Manibabu, MCPCR has been taking up different activities amidst the violence.

A team of MCPCR along with Indian Army, CRPF, BSF and Manipur police rescued 72 people including 12 children from Service Colony of National Hydro Power Corporation located at Leimatak in Churachandpur district on the intervening night of May 7 and 8.The MCPCR team faced enormous challenges in bringing 72 people to these respective homes safely.

Apart from this, MCPCR also provided milk powder and edibles for pregnant women and children taking shelter at different relief camps, he added.

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