Rights bodies call for shielding children in relief camps
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 29 2025: Observation and recommendations of the first camp sitting held in connection with the ongoing violence since May 3, 2023 under the joint initiative of Manipur Human Rights Commission, Manipur State Commission for Women (MSCW) and Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) called for safeguard of children already affected by the violence.

The rights bodies and institutions were also unanimous that violence-affected children should not be dragged into the conflict.

The first camp sitting was held on January 13 at the conference hall of Bishnupur DC's office.

A 33-page observation and recommendations related to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) was released on Wednesday at the office of MHRC at Palace compound.

Briefing media persons on the observation and recommendations of the camp, MHRC member Kangjam Khagendra disclosed about reports of engaging children, who ought to study, in the violence.

Stressing that law enforcing agencies should look into such inhumane and perilous act and take measures to stop it, he also called for timely action by author-ity concerned so that rights of the children are not exploited.

Noting that majority of the IDP students used to study in private schools, he informed that around 1400/1500 out of nearly 2000 violence affected students in Bishnupur district alone pursued study in private schools.

As it is expensive to study at private schools compared to government schools, at least two government residential schools must be established in all the districts affected by the violence, maintained the MHRC member, adding that all requirements of the IDP students should also be provided, while the transport department should shoulder the responsibility for convenient commuting of the said students.

Chipping in, MCPCR chairperson Keisham Pradipkumar said the government should give specific time-frame for opening relief camps for people affected by the ongoing violence.

He also called upon the government authorities to take up steps to ensure that no more IDPs emerge.

He said that the first sitting in Bishnupur district was held to ascertain conditions of IDPs and their rights particularly the right to health, right to education and sanitation.

According to Pradip-kumar, Bishnupur is one of the districts worst hit by the violence since May 3, 2023 with around 9600 IDPs taking shelter in 46 relief camps in the district alone.

Among them are 2,342 students studying in nursery to class XII while 70 percent of the students are studying at private schools and 20 percent in government schools.

Students are facing many problems in continuing their studies, he said, adding that observation and recommendations of the first sitting held with the main objective of mitigating problems being faced by IDPs will be forwarded to authority concerned for necessary action.

Expressing grave concern over reports of children involved in combat activities, he urged all concerned, including non-state actors, to release the children while stressing that law enforcement agencies should treat such children as "children in need of care and protection" rather than "children in conflict".

The report detailed the pressing issues faced by IDPs, including inadequate access to health care, education, and livelihood support.

It also highlighted concerns over sexual harassment faced by women within displacement camps.

The need for separate sanitation facilities for males and females to maintain personal hygiene was also emphasised.

Comment