Be child sensitive, MCPCR tells SFs
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 27: Expressing serious concern over recent incidents in which child protesters were injured including cases of lathi-charge, assaults on vital body parts (head, chest, back) and young girls fainting due to lathi-charge exposure (Pukhao incident), the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) has urged security personnel to exercise maximum restraint, avoid the use of lathis, tear gas or physical force and adhere strictly to child-sensitive, non-violent crowd management measures.
The MCPCR has also taken suo motu cognizance of an incident that took place on November 24 involving the alleged physical assault of two minor IDP students studying one in Class XII, NB College and another in Class XII, CC Higher Secondary School, by personnel of State and Central security forces at Sagolmang, Imphal East.
The MCPCR has directed the Superintendent of Police, Imphal East to submit a detailed factual and documentary status report within seven days.
The report shall including FIR status (if registered, a certified copy of the FIR; if not, reasons for non-registration), fact-based account of the incident, current medical condition of the victims with supporting medical records and status of investigation, including enquiry reports, statements, medical reports and any Court directions.
The MCPCR has asserted that all agencies including law enforcement agencies and security forces, must exercise utmost sensitivity and adopt child-centred, protection-focused practices in all interaction with minors.
The commission has reminded all security forces and administrative authorities that the Juvenile Justice Act 2015 and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) strictly prohibit any form of violence, harsh restraint or coercive action against minors.
Children have the right to peaceful expression and must be safeguarded, not harmed, during public gatherings, the MCPCR said.
Presence of children in public spaces, even during civil unrest, must not be misconstrued as anti-State activity or a security threat. It should be viewed as the innocent expression of children seeking safety and reassurance amid distress, said a press release issued by MCPCR Chairperson Keisam Pradipkumar.
It said that children remain the most vulnerable victims of the violence in Manipur, now ongoing for over two years and a half.
The prolonged conflict has severely impacted their physical, psychological and emotional well-being, it said.
MCPCR’s recent Mental Health and Psychological Care Clinics, conducted across seven hill and valley districts, found that 30 to 35 per cent of the attending children exhibited severe mental health issues requiring continued follow-up treatment.
The Commission also took note of the alarming trends of child suicides, psychological distress, educational disruption and school drop-outs among displaced children.
The MCPCR has also called for an immediate and peaceful resolution to the displacement crisis, ensuring that affected children can return to a safe community environment, conducive to education, growth, healing and hope.
No child should be subjected to further trauma, harassment or targeting, it added.
IMPHAL, Nov 27: Expressing serious concern over recent incidents in which child protesters were injured including cases of lathi-charge, assaults on vital body parts (head, chest, back) and young girls fainting due to lathi-charge exposure (Pukhao incident), the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) has urged security personnel to exercise maximum restraint, avoid the use of lathis, tear gas or physical force and adhere strictly to child-sensitive, non-violent crowd management measures.
The MCPCR has also taken suo motu cognizance of an incident that took place on November 24 involving the alleged physical assault of two minor IDP students studying one in Class XII, NB College and another in Class XII, CC Higher Secondary School, by personnel of State and Central security forces at Sagolmang, Imphal East.
The MCPCR has directed the Superintendent of Police, Imphal East to submit a detailed factual and documentary status report within seven days.
The report shall including FIR status (if registered, a certified copy of the FIR; if not, reasons for non-registration), fact-based account of the incident, current medical condition of the victims with supporting medical records and status of investigation, including enquiry reports, statements, medical reports and any Court directions.
The MCPCR has asserted that all agencies including law enforcement agencies and security forces, must exercise utmost sensitivity and adopt child-centred, protection-focused practices in all interaction with minors.
The commission has reminded all security forces and administrative authorities that the Juvenile Justice Act 2015 and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) strictly prohibit any form of violence, harsh restraint or coercive action against minors.
Children have the right to peaceful expression and must be safeguarded, not harmed, during public gatherings, the MCPCR said.
Presence of children in public spaces, even during civil unrest, must not be misconstrued as anti-State activity or a security threat. It should be viewed as the innocent expression of children seeking safety and reassurance amid distress, said a press release issued by MCPCR Chairperson Keisam Pradipkumar.
It said that children remain the most vulnerable victims of the violence in Manipur, now ongoing for over two years and a half.
The prolonged conflict has severely impacted their physical, psychological and emotional well-being, it said.
MCPCR’s recent Mental Health and Psychological Care Clinics, conducted across seven hill and valley districts, found that 30 to 35 per cent of the attending children exhibited severe mental health issues requiring continued follow-up treatment.
The Commission also took note of the alarming trends of child suicides, psychological distress, educational disruption and school drop-outs among displaced children.
The MCPCR has also called for an immediate and peaceful resolution to the displacement crisis, ensuring that affected children can return to a safe community environment, conducive to education, growth, healing and hope.
No child should be subjected to further trauma, harassment or targeting, it added.