No report on child soldier: Dy CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 17 2014: There is no official report of any unlawful organisation recruiting 278 children as their cadres in Churachandpur district, stated Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam in the State Assembly today.

The Deputy Chief Minister made this clarification in response to a call attention motion raised by MLA L Ibomcha on the State's rehabilitation policy of child soldiers.

Reports published in media about child soldier was based on an incident which took place in 2005.There was no report of child soldier in 2007, Gaikhangam stated.

Many children are being rehabilitated and protected under different schemes and bodies like the Juvenile Justice Board under Social Welfare Department.

Th Shyamkumar put up a call attention motion on the controversial death of Moirangthem (O) Monika of Thoubal Bamon Leikai.

Replying to the call attention motion, Gaikhangam maintained that Monika succumbed on the way to hospital after she was found hanging.

Nonetheless, her husband has been pulled up by police.

Post mortem was conducted with full video coverage in presence of an Executive Magistrate.

The Additional SP Thoubal is investigating into the case, and forensic test report from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Kolkata is being awaited.

Once the report is received, charge sheet would be promptly so that none of the accused can abscond, Gaikhangam stated.

Without depending on the FIR alone, the Government and police would ensure that justice is done in the particular case, he assured.

The claim that Monika's husband was just 14 years old looked like a ploy aimed at protecting him under Juvenile Justice Act, Shyamkumar said.

He urged the Home Department to frame due charge-sheet and punish the culprits as there is enough evidence.

He also asked if the video recording of the post mortem process can be re-examined.

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