MCPCR calls for release of kidnapped children, women
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 13 2024: The Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights has issued calls for urgent and safe release of 3 women and 3 minors, abducted by Kuki militants from Jiribam on November 11 .

The organisations including the MCPCR strongly condemned the abduction of women and children and asserted that such actions are in violation of National and international humanitarian laws.

Many have termed the abduction and taking of hostages as an act of terrorism.

In an "urgent appeal" released by its Chairperson, Keisham Pradipkumar, the MCPCR called on all communities, stakeholders, agencies engaged in the ongoing conflict in Manipur since May, 2023, to "undeniably respect and safeguard the right to life and every fundamental rights, dignity and safety of innocent children and women" .

"It is so depressing that in many incidents, children and women belonging to both warring communities, the Meitei and Kuki Chin, have lost their lives during the conflict," said the Commission.

The recent incident of abduction of 6 civilians including 3 minors and 3 women from Jakuradhor Karong on November 11 has deepened the sense of insecurity, frustration and inexpressible anguish amongst the masses, whose minds have already been seriously shocked by the brunt of the 18-month-long conflict, it said.

The 6 abducted by the Kuki militants have been identified as Yumlembam Rani Devi (60), Telem Thoibi Devi (31) and her daughter Telem Thajamanbi (8), Laishram Heitonbi Devi (25), her son Laishram Chingkheinganba (2), and her youngest child, Laishram Langamba (8 months) .

Even as the police have taken up a suo motu cognizance of the case, the MCPCR said, the targeting and abduction of innocent children, helpless women and elderly persons violate international humanitarian laws including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), UN Declaration on the Protection of Women and Children in Emergency and Armed Conflict etc.

"The Commission strongly condemns all kinds of violence targeting children and women irrespective of the community or ethnic group they may belong to.

They are not combatants, but innocent and hapless victims of the unrest situation," said the Commission.

"In the true spirit of promoting harmony and human�ty, we make this solemn urgent appeal to those responsible to immediately release the abducted women and children safely without any condition on humanitarian ground," urged the MCPCR.

The Commission also called on the Chairperson of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Chairperson of National Commission for Women, Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur, Director General of Police Manipur, Security Advisor to Government of Manipur, Deputy Commissioner, Jiribam district and Superintendent of Police Jiribam to take up all possible measures to rescue the abducted minors and women safely at the earliest possible time.

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