Four including two IDP children died by suicide between July and Sept Govt urged to stop delaying Child Rights Policy

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 1 : Expressing deep concern over rising children suicide cases amid the crisis besetting Manipur, Keisham Pradipkumar, Chairman of the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights, has warned that further delay in implementation of the Manipur State Child Rights Policy may jeopardize an entire generation.
The statement comes in the wake of the death by suicide of a boy inside a relief camp opened at Jiribam Higher Secondary School on September 28.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, Pradipkumar highlighted the mental trauma faced by displaced individuals, emphasizing that rising suicide cases, including among minors, should not be taken lightly.
He noted that four children, including two IDPs, took their own lives between July and September this year, underscoring the crisis's severe impact on mental health.
Back in 2023, The Hindu had reported that there were 10,000 children in different relief camps.
The child rights panel chief urged the Government to take immediate action, stressing that the crisis-driven suicides require a broader response.
Quoting an independent survey conducted by NGOs, Pradipkumar said that nearly two-thirds (65.8 per cent) of internally displaced people show signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, while 40 per cent battle moderate to severe anxiety, reported The Indian Express.
The paper quoted Pradip-kumar as saying, “Children are the most vulnerable, grappling with broken education, uprooted lives, and an uncertain tomorrow. The trauma ex- tends beyond direct victims of violence. Witnessing homes torched, losing loved ones, or living under the shadow of displacement, restricted move- ments on highways have left psychological wounds that rarely meet the eye.”
Pradipkumar drew the attention of the authorities to the need for the immediate rollout of the Manipur State Policy for Children, which was first notified in 2020 for public input and revised in April 2025 but remains in limbo.
“The Government cannot afford further delay, for the emerging trend is the fallout of system error. Such an incident cannot be considered as isolated,” Pradipkumar said. “If enforced with a clear action plan, this policy could provide a safety net for vulnerable children, especially those in camps. Under the President’s Rule, this is a chance for a decisive response”.
Emphasising that piecemeal actions won't resolve the issue, he  added that the Government needs to implement a comprehensive poli- cy to support IDPs and individuals prone to suicidal tendencies.
The crisis affects not just IDPs and direct victims but also children who witnessed the violence, leading to widespread mental health issues, he said.
He said that there is no sign of the Government taking up any skill-enhance- ment programmes for IDPs, emphasizing that such efforts require inter-depart- mental collaboration from Health, Education, Social Welfare, Art and Culture and Sports Departments.
The MCPCR chairperson stated that periodic health camps with a clinical approach alone won't ade- quately address mental health issues, suggesting that art and sports can also play a significant role in promoting mental well-being.
Saying that many displaced children have excelled in sports, winning medals at National and international levels, he urged the Sports Department to support children, including IDPs with a passion for sports.
Pradipkumar mentioned that MCPCR launched a course for displaced children at the Sajiwa relief camp, offering singing and Thang-ta classes by hiring teachers.
He said that follow-up efforts are necessary for the different initiatives taken up by the Government for the wellbeing of IDPs, he said.
Stating that the State Child Right Policy  which was notified in 2020 and revised in April 2025 has the component to uplift children, he said that the Government needs to implement the policy without further delay given the profound impact of the crisis on the children's mental health.
He said that a memorandum has been submitted to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhall to implement the State Child Right Policy.
Pradipkumar cautioned that an entire generation may be jeopardised if the mental toll of the crisis is not addressed.