Enact child policy: MCPCR, experts
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 28 2025: Manipur strongly and urgently needs a policy which would address a wide spectrum of issues affecting children, particularly those from marginalized and violence affected communities, said Keisam Pradipkumar, Chairperson, Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) .

He emphasised this today during a one-day advocacy meeting, organised to persuade the Government to enact the Manipur State Policy for Children 2025.The meeting, attended by experts, was organised at the conference hall of the Wide Angle Social Development Organisation at Sagolband Moiranghanuba Mayai Leikai, Imphal.

It was organised by the Wide Angle Social Development Organisation, in collaboration with the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR), and supported by Child Rights and You (CRY) .

S Saratkumar Sharma, chief advisor, Wide Angle and former Chairperson, MCPCR; Montu Ahanthem, secretary, Wide Angle and former Member MCPCR, and Thiyam Rajkishore Singh, Legal Consultant, MCPCR and members of various organisations and NGOs attended the meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, Keisam Pradipkumar underscored the importance of a State policy for children, noting its relevance in addressing a wide spectrum of issues affecting children in Manipur, particularly those from marginalized and violence-affected communities.

He highlighted a recent engagement with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on the matter, and said the MCPCR expects the State to do the needful and enact a policy for protection of children.

He also urged all stakeholders and Government departments to lend their collective voice in advocating for swift enactment of the policy.

Notably, the State has a draft policy for children, developed in 2015 .

The draft, prepared by the MCPCR, was officially submitted in 2017, and was subsequently notified in the State Gazette in 2020.The Department of Social Welfare had recently formed a revision committee and later, a revised draft was submitted to the relevant authorities for approval.

Thiyam Rajkishore, Legal Consultant, MCPCR, presented an overview of recent amendments made to the draft policy, and elaborated on the legal and administrative significance of the revised provisions.

He emphasised that the changes made would enhance the protection and promotion of children's rights in Manipur and urged the Government for early approval and enactment of the policy without further delay.

As a part of the programme, an award-winning documentary film "Ruptured Spring" was screened.

The film, which has received the Best Documentary Award at the International Short and Documentary Film Festival, movingly depicts the struggles faced by children in Manipur.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from all attendees to continue advocating for a child-focused, inclusive, and rights-based policy framework in the State.

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