Advocacy meet calls for enactment of children's policy
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 28 2025: A one-day advocacy meeting calling for urgent enactment of the Manipur State Policy for Children 2025 was held at the conference hall of Wide Angle Social Development Organisation at Sagolband Moirang Hanuba Mayai Leikai, Imphal West on Satuday.

The event was organised by Wide Angle in collaboration with Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) and supported by Child Rights and You (CRY).

MCPCR chairperson Keisam Pradipkumar, Wide Angle chief advisor and former MCPCR chairperson S Saratkumar Sharma, secretary Montu Ahanthem, and MCPCR legal consultant Thiyam Rajkishore Singh attended the meet as dais members.

Representatives from Child Welfare Committees, Juvenile Justice Boards, District Child Protection Units, Child Care Institutions, NGOs, and other community stakeholders were also present.

Addressing the gathering, Pradipkumar stressed the urgency of adopting the state policy to address the rights and protection needs of children, particularly those from marginalised and conflict-affected backgrounds.

He observed that MCPCR had recently raised the issue with the Governor and called upon all stakeholders, including government departments, to join efforts in advocating for the policy's enactment.

During the technical session, Rajkishore presented an overview of the latest amendments to the policy draft, explaining the legal and administrative enhancements aimed at strengthening child rights protection in the state.

The meeting reviewed the long development process of the policy, which began in 2015, submitted in 2017, and notified in the state Gazette in 2020.Participants welcomed recent steps by the social welfare department which submitted a revised draft for approval.

The award-winning documentary Ruptured Spring, which highlights the challenges faced by children in Manipur, was also screened at the meeting.

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