25,000 children displaced by conflict : MCPCR

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 29: Out of the total number of people displaced by the violent conflict which erupted on May 3, 2023, around 25,000 are children, according to the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR).
Talking with The Sangai Express, MCPCR Chairperson Keisam Pradipkumar said that a large number of children, who otherwise would be living at the comfort of their homes, have been rendered homeless and suffering both physically and mentally because of the protracted conflict.
Around 25,000 people who would be living at the comfort of their homes and under the care of their parents have been displaced and are currently taking shelter at relief camps and other places.
Even though the conflict is two years and eight months old, the displaced children could not be rehabilitated. This is extremely painful and a serious challenge to the rights of children, the MCPCR Chairperson remarked.
Manipur witnessed large scale displacements during the Seven Years Devastation of 1819-1926, Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891 and the Second World War (1939-45) and currently, a large number of people have been displaced and suffering extreme misery because of the violent conflict which erupted on May 3, 2023, he said.
The MCPCR Chairperson said that he took up several cases related to children belonging to Kuki-Zo and Naga communities and delivered justice even though he could not personally visit hill areas during the last two years and eight months.
In association with UNICEF, MCPCR has organised 13 mental health and psychological support clinics in six districts including Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal and Chandel for children living in relief camps, he said.
Almost 30 to 35 per cent of children were found suffering from severe mental issues and 10 per cent of them needed proper treatment, Pradipkumar said.
The mental health and psychological support clinics  which incorporated art based therapy benefited 483 children living in 49 relief camps, he said.
Through the intervention supported by UNICEF, assessment on education, health and protection was carried out for 4537 children.
Even after mental problems including serious ones have been detected in a large number of displaced children, the Manipur State Policy for Children which will be of great help to the children is being delayed without issuing the due notification, Pradipkumar said.  
Keeping away Manipur State Policy for Children from the displaced children when they need it the most would amount to committing a grave sin, he said.
Draft policy for the Manipur State Policy for Children was submitted to the Government in 2017 and the Government issued a gazette notification in 2020 inviting inputs from the public. But the draft policy was not approved by the State Cabinet, he said.
A State level committee submitted a revised final draft in April 2025. It will be a big relief to the displaced children if the Government introduces the Manipur State Policy for Children in January 2026 as a new year gift, he said.
Pradipkumar also highlighted the need for parents and CSOs to prevent the practice of awarding corporal punishment to children in schools.
He said that MCPCR has been working hard to prevent harassment of children.
The MCPCR Chairperson said that cases of child trafficking rose following the violent conflict of May 3, 2023.
The number of child soldiers is also rising, he said.
Saying that child soldier is a form of child trafficking, he asserted that all sections of the society need to work together to prevent recruitment of children as soldiers.
In connection with the brutal murder of six women and children at Jiribam, MCPCR held a camp sitting at Jiribam. A similar camp sitting was also held at Bishnupur, he said.
During the past few months, four children including two IDPs had committed suicide. A number of innocent children belonging to both the communities were killed in the violent conflict.
Moreover, security forces unleashed brute force upon children who staged protests seeking restoration of peace and normalcy in the State. Such actions are unlawful, Pradipkumar said.
Saying that the Government’s resettlement efforts deserve appreciation, the MCPCR Chairperson said that the Government must come up with a ‘transitional support’ plan in order to make the resettlement and rehabilitation efforts successful.
Altogether 776 displaced children were identified and recommended by MCPCR for Mission Vatsalya between August and December this year.
32 displaced children have started receiving Rs 4000 each per month under Mission Vatsalya.
All the displaced children of Manipur below 18 are eligible for Mission Vatsalya. As such, the relevant authorities need to pay special attention and see that all the displaced children get Rs 4000 each per month from Mission Vatsalya.
Pradipkumar said that MCPCR’s State Action Plan for Protection of IDP Children will be recommended to the Government for implementation. He also sought cooperation of all stakeholders in implementing the action plan. He further appealed to the Government to give due importance to the MCPCR’s recommendations in the best interest of children.