The recruitment of children as soldiers in Manipur’s conflict is a grave violation of international law and a tragedy for the affected children. These vulnerable individuals are often coerced or driven by desperation to join armed groups, facing severe physical and psychological harm.
BY PC Bureau
The ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur, India, between the Meitei and Kuki communities has taken a devastating toll, particularly on children. Rights bodies in the state have issued urgent appeals to armed groups and communities to cease the recruitment and use of child soldiers, citing numerous reports of minors being deployed as frontline fighters.
Keisham Pradipkumar, chairperson of the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR), expressed deep concern, stating, “There are media and social media reports that certain communities are engaging in the recruitment of children to be their frontline fighters, which is a total violation of UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) norms that prohibit the recruitment or use of child soldiers in conflicts.” The MCPCR, along with the Manipur Human Rights Commission and the Manipur State Commission for Women, jointly called for the immediate release of all children currently involved in combat.
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Reports from the ground indicate that children as young as 14 are being drawn into the conflict, either forcibly or due to circumstances like manpower shortages within armed groups. These children are utilized in various dangerous capacities, including manning checkpoints, scouting, carrying ammunition, and directly participating in combat. Such involvement exposes them to extreme physical and psychological trauma, a clear violation of international child protection laws.
The Recruitment and its Roots:
Several factors contribute to the recruitment of child soldiers in Manipur:
- Coercion and Abduction: Children are often abducted from their homes and schools, forced into joining armed groups.
- Economic Hardship: Poverty and lack of opportunities make some children vulnerable to recruitment, as they may be lured with promises of money or a better life.
- Revenge and Retaliation: Some children are driven by a desire for revenge against security forces or rival groups.
- Lack of Education and Opportunity: Limited access to education and a bleak future can make joining an armed group seem like a viable alternative.
The consequences for these child soldiers are catastrophic:
- Physical Injuries and Death: Children involved in combat face a high risk of injury and death.
- Psychological Trauma: The violence they witness and experience leads to severe psychological trauma, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
- Loss of Childhood: These children are robbed of their childhood and denied the opportunity to develop normally.
- Social Stigma: They often face ostracization and difficulty reintegrating into their communities after their involvement in armed groups.
- Sexual Abuse and Exploitation: Girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation within armed groups.
The Wider Crisis:
The rights bodies also highlighted the broader humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict, including the displacement of approximately 60,000 people and the rising number of suicides, particularly among women. They urged the state government to establish residential schools in every district to accommodate displaced children and provide skills training for women who have become the sole breadwinners of their families.
The ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities, which began in May 2023, has claimed over 250 lives. While recent weeks have seen a decrease in major violent incidents, tensions remain high, and the state is effectively divided, with movement restricted between Meitei and Kuki-dominated areas. The future for the children caught in this conflict remains uncertain, and concerted efforts are needed to protect them, address the root causes of the conflict, and ensure a path towards peace and reconciliation.
