rewrite this content and keep HTML tags
Boiling in the fire of Manipur Disgusting ethnic conflict Since May 2023. While hundreds have been killed and around 60,000 have been displaced, children have been one of the most affected demographics. Due to the helpless suffering of violent clashes, many are now being sucked in the cycle of violence which has become a new ‘common’ in the hilly state.
Many media reports since the onset of the conflict have been exposed to the violation of child rights completely amid the ongoing crisis.
During a recent press conference, Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) President Keisham Pradeepkumar said that armed groups in Manipur are recruiting child soldiers, provide them with weapons training, and they are the frontline village Include as guards.
MCPCR said that even though no survey of child soldiers has been conducted in the area, there are many evidence to confirm their allegations.
During our last visit to the Lamka region in 2024, the leader of a civil society, however on the condition of anonymity, claimed that the minimum age to serve as a village defender is 18 years. He said, “Such media reports mean malicious to our community and desire to discredit the defenders of our frontline village.”
A cookie student organization (KSO) leader who did not wish not to name, said, “In the beginning of this struggle in 2023, the schools were closed – and the entire system came into a stagnation. At that time minors by rebellious groups at that time. There were examples of inclusion. But when we re -opened schools and brought most children back to school, such examples decreased significantly.
The leader further stated that the village defense committees are led under the leadership of the village chief, and they are ensuring that no minor is being included. “Even before the struggle, we have examples where parents of 15- or 16-year-old children have approached us to save their children who have joined underground groups. We spoke to those groups, Saved them and admitted them in schools, “he said.
At the same press conference, MCPCR appealed to the government to set up two residential schools in each district for internal displaced children (IDP).
