MCPCR submits findings on Jiribam massacre
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 10 2025: Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) has submitted its findings and recommendations to the state government regarding the brutal killings of three minors and three women in Jiribam district last year.

The commission's report, compiled following a field visit and camp sitting, highlighted the grave human rights violations and called for urgent intervention to ensure justice, security, and rehabilitation for the affected individuals, particularly children.

Manipur has been reeling under ethnic violence since May 3, 2023, resulting in the deaths of around 260 individuals and the displacement of over 60,000 people, including 25,000 children.

Amid the turmoil, Jiribam district had remained relatively peaceful until June 6, 2024, when the murder of Soibam Saratkumar Singh, a Meetei resident, heightened tensions.

The situation further escalated on November 7, 2024, with the killing of a Hmar tribal woman at Zairawn village, the report said.

On November 11, 2024, armed militants, allegedly from the Kuki community, launched attacks in the Jakuradhor area under Borobekra police station, and abducted six Meetei civilians.

The victims included Telem Thajamanbi Devi (8) daughter of T Uttam of Modhupur and her mother Telem Thoibi Devi (31); Laishram Chingkheinganba Singh (2.5) & Laishram Langamba Singh (8 months) both sons of L Herojit of Modhupur, and their mother Laishram Heitombi Devi (25); and Yurembam Rani Devi (60) wife of Y Nabakishor of Modhupur.

The abduction, particularly of an eight-month-old infant, sent shockwaves across the country.

The MCPCR, taking suo moto cognizance of the case based on a news report published in a local daily on November 13, 2024, initiated an inquiry under Section 13 of the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005.Upon learning about the incident, MCPCR made urgent appeals to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), the National Commission for Women (NCW), and authorities in Manipur including the DGP and security advisor, urging immediate action to secure the safe release of the abducted individuals.

However, despite these efforts, the abducted women and children were brutally murdered, with their bodies later recovered at different locations along the Jiri River.

MCPCR subsequently demanded a detailed action-taken report and a copy of the FIR from the DGP on November 25, 2024.The case was taken over by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which re-registered it under various sections of the BNS, 2023, and the Arms Act, 1959.An NIA team visited the crime site on November 21-22, 2024, for further investigation.

MCPCR conducted a held visit and a two-day camp sitting at the Jiribam DC's Conference Hall from December 15 to 19, 2024.During the visit, the commission collected first-hand testimonies from survivors, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and government officials, including the district magistrate, SP, ZEO, district social welfare officer (DSWO), and civil society organisations.

Among the findings, MCPCR highlighted that nine relief camps were set up in Jiribam, housing 172 children below the age of 18 .

Survivors, especially children, exhibited extreme psychological distress and uncertainty about their future.

MCPCR directed the DSWO and Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to provide sponsorship support to the affected children under Mission Vatsalaya.

There was a significant shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly mental health experts, leaving displaced children and pregnant women without adequate medical support.

Pregnant women faced severe hardships due to the lack of gynaecological staff and facilities, forcing them to travel to Silchar, 47 km away, amid a hostile law and order situation.

Students stranded in Borobekra area faced difficulties in attending school and preparing for upcoming board exams.

MCPCR directed the ZEO concerned to relocate these students to safer relief camps in Jiribam headquarters.

MCPCR has put forward comprehensive recommendations to ensure justice, security, and rehabilitation for the affected families, particularly children.

It has emphasised the urgent need for relief and compensation, urging the government to provide ex-gratia to the families of the deceased and expedite the issuance of death certificates to facilitate financial and legal support.

MCPCR has also called for a swift and thorough investigation into the killings, while stressing the need for exemplary punishment for the culprits.

Urging authorities to provide periodic updates on the investigation, its recommendation include deployment of trained child psychologists and counsellors in relief camps; establishment of child-friendly spaces and regular mental health assessments to support emotional healing; strengthen security and protective measures for the internally displaced persons (IDPs); relocation of all stranded IDPs to safer areas; enhance security around relief camps to prevent further attacks; intensify patrolling and monitoring in conflict-prone areas, along with special protection measures for unaccompanied minors and orphans; introduce bridge courses to help displaced students adjust to new learning environments, provision of essential school supplies, midday meals, textbooks, and uniforms to ensure continuity in education; initiate vocational training programmes for youth and women in relief camps, along with financial assistance or micro-loans to help rebuild their lives; appointment of dedicated Child Protection Officers and reliable voluntary organisations to monitor and address the needs of children in relief camps; set up grievance redressal system for children and women to report exploitation or abuse; strict enforcement of child protection laws and international humanitarian laws in conflict zones; improve paediatric healthcare, routine vaccinations, and supplementary nutrition programmes in relief camps;, deployment of mobile medical units for regular health check ups and upgrading Jiribam Community Health Centre to a fully equipped district hospital; initiate peace building efforts and inter-community dialogues to prevent further violence; conduct awareness campaigns on humanitarian laws and child rights with effective judicial mechanisms to bring perpetrators of violence against children and women to justice, etc.

MCPCR also urged all relevant government agencies to implement the aforementioned recommendations promptly and report their progress periodically to the commission to safeguard the rights and well-being of children in conflict-affected areas.

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