Endless suffering of internally displaced children
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: January 31, 2025 -

THE revelation by Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Manipur Human Rights Commission and Manipur State Commission for Women about children affected by the Kuki-Meetei clash coerced into joining the conflict underscores that the government cannot rest assured by simply promising to extend all possible assistance to the internally displaced persons but implement the same at the ground level so as to ensure that the conflict-induced displaced youngsters do not indulge in anti-social activities.

Though the rights body made no mention about whether or not insurgent outfits are responsible for dragging the internally displaced children into the conflict, it is obvious that the various armed outfits operating in the state as well as radical groups would be eager to enrol both able bodied adults and minors, for strengthening manpower remains the primary objective of such organisations.

As strife-torn Manipur has seen male teenagers and women extensively used as carriers of demand letters, explosives, firearms, extorted money, etc., government authorities need to intervene immediately to avoid serious social consequences in future.

Moreover, authorities concerned should ensure that the youngsters affected by the violence have access to educational institutions of repute in order to learn moral virtues, maintain good manners and uphold discipline to help reform the education system instead of being lured into risky activities by elements inimical to the idea of a progressive society.

It is equally important that adult members of the society never undermine the need for protection, guidance and facilitating the children to explore their latent talents and become responsible and productive citizens of the society in future.

It's disheartening to learn that children affected by the Kuki-Meetei clash are being dragged into the conflict by non-state actors amid claims by the government authorities that appropriate measures are being taken up for proper rehabilitation and education of the internally displaced children.

While images and video clips of young boys holding sophisticated weapons periodically posted on the various social media platforms hinted at possible allurement of children by both the warring communities, confirmation of the same by the rights organisations could be construed as utter failure by the government to shield the conflict-affected kids and effectively translate into action assurance given to the public that the children in distress would be taken good care of.

Vulnerability of children languishing in relief camps set up specifically for the internally displaced families could also be comprehended from recent reports about rescue of children from boarding schools outside the state after some individuals took them away with the promise of better education.

No doubt, impact of the Kuki-Meetei conflict on society, development and politics in the state is deep, wide and complex, but the government cannot play deaf and dumb when unscrupulous elements are taking advantage of the unrest situation, exploiting distressful condition of the displaced parents and inciting the youth, the minors in particular.

Those helming the affairs in the state must acknowledge that the public psyche is deeply wounded and twisted with fear psychosis and great sense of insecurity pervasive due to cases of kidnap/abduction for ransom, killing, threat and extortion not to speak of random violations of human rights by armed groups.