ATINDRANATH DAS feels that we should have zero tolerance for violation of child rights

http://www.thethumbprintmag.com/content.php?cat=On%20the%20Margins&content=Revive%20Child%20Rights

Photo: Bal Sakha, a CRY-supported NGO working in Dibrugarh

A little boy with a pair of bright twinkling eyes, Durga Prasad Borah is just like any other teen age kid one can come across along the course of the Brahmaputra, our very own Lohit River. Durga lives at Pohari Khonia, a small village at Borboruah Block, around 15 kilometres away from Dibrugarh city, Assam.

At the tender age of 14 Durga Prasad is supposed to be in school, but instead, one finds him busy with fishing all through the day along the banks of the Brahmaputra. Be it a rainy morning or a chilly winter afternoon, instead of spending time with his friends within the classroom, he is busy with his mundane job of fishing with a tattered net in his hands.

Durga Prasad is no stranger to hard work, though. Being the elder of two brothers, he was compelled to drop out of school in December, 2011, and start working in order to help his father Wokil Borah, who is also a fisherman by profession. His story, however, took a positive turn as he came in contact with the Children’s Group organised by ‘Bal Sakha’ (a CRY-supported NGO working in Dibrugarh District in Assam) and expressed interest to continue his studies. But he was not sure if his father would allow him to go back to school. The project workers then talked to Wokil Borah, Durga’s father. To cut a long story short, they finally persuaded him, and brought the little child back to school.

But for the multitudes of little children like Durga Prasad, saying no to Child Labour and walking back to the arena of education is anything but a smooth sailing. There are millions of children all across India, and child labour is to be found in almost every sector of the informal economy. Millions of children are engaged as child labours in workshops and small factories; in dhabas and roadside tea-stalls; in brick kilns and bidi-rolling industries; on the streets and as well as domestic servants. A huge number of children are also to be found in the agricultural sector.

In 1992 when India ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), a reservation was made in article 32, wherein the Government of India articulated that it would progressively ban all forms of child labour, given our economic condition. 21 years hence, we are still speaking about regulating and prohibiting child labour.

More recently, the government of India proposed to amend the Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act. The attempt to amend the existing legislation however seems to emerge from the need to do away with the contradiction between the Fundamental Right to Education Act (RTE Act) and the existing Child Labour Act than to completely eradicated child labour.

The amendment categorises children into two groups i.e. Child and adolescent; all persons below 14 year of age being defined as a child and persons between the ages of >14 - <18 a="" adolescents.="" as="" being="" between="" children="" defined="" definition="" for="" is="" it="" new="">14-<18 18="" 2000.="" 3="" 65="" a="" act="" adolescents="" all="" allowed="" amendment="" and="" are="" as="" barring="" be="" been="" but="" can="" child="" considerations="" contrary="" definition="" does="" earlier="" economic="" for="" has="" if="" in="" including="" justice="" justification="" juvenile="" labour="" listed="" mean="" mentioned="" nation="" not="" number="" occupations="" of="" only="" p="" processes.="" processes="" proposed="" provided="" redrawn="" restricted="" sanction="" schedule="" should="" some="" that="" the="" this="" those="" three="" to="" uncrc="" under="" used="" were="" which="" work="" years="">

In the three decades CRY has been working to restore the rights of children in India, we have learnt that domestic work can be extremely exploitative, abusive and violates every right of a child. A child of 14 or 16 years is equally, if not more, vulnerable to abuse and exploitation as a child of 12 or 13 years when it comes to working as domestic help. This can very well be the situation in the context of other occupations as well. Given that India’s track record in implementing legislation is so poor, how are law makers going to ensure the safety of adolescents? What safeguards are being prescribed and put in place? In fact, CRY’s experience has been that children in the >14 - <18 -="" abuse.="" age="" agriculture="" and="" are="" as="" construction="" dhabas="" employed="" exploitation="" exposed="" garages="" group="" helpers="" highly="" in="" labourers="" leave="" many="" mental="" motor="" of="" often="" p="" physical="" road="" sectors="" services="" side="" sites="" that="" them="" to="" transport="" travel="" types="">

Interestingly, the National Policy for Children 2012 (NPC) defines the child as persons who have not completed 18 years of age and reaffirms the Government’s commitment to the realisation of the rights of all children in the country, as it states that it will guide and inform all policies, laws and programmes concerning children. But one does not get any clarity on if this means that all legislations pertaining to children will now have a uniform definition of a child. If the NPC is indeed committed to realise all rights of all children in India, then the proposed amendment to the Child Labour Act is meaningless. It remains to be seen how and what attempts will be made to align the definition of a child in the various legislations concerning children with the National Policy for Children.

It is high time the government took drastic steps to clear all confusion regarding setting the age of a child to exercise their right. Child Labour is a matter of national shame, a blatant violation of human rights by the establishment. The very circumstances that drive a child to seek employment- often iniquitous in terms of remuneration, is violation of children's rights for which it is not only the parents but largely the establishment that should be held responsible.

Child labour has, in a way, become a social norm and we accept and tolerate it in our society. Unless we, as a society, have zero tolerance towards such issues, this exploitative and abusive practice will continue. Today, the quintessential goal of children’s happiness and wellbeing is constantly disregarded. Children’s sorrows and chagrins - for not being able to go to school, for living in poverty, for bleak home lives – doesn’t seem to garner much attention. What we need most today isto restore to Indian children their basic rights,revive humanity and create a society where children can live with dignity and exercise their rights in order to lead a happy life. If we are serious about creating a happy, prosperous nation we must begin with children. We need to put children first in everything we do.

The government should amend the law to ensure that all forms of child labour are prohibited for children up to 18 years of age. CRY considers all those between 0 to 18 years of age to be children. And we urge the government to bring uniformity in law when it comes to the definition of a childas provided in the UNCRC.

The author, Atindranath Das, is Regional Director (East), CRY – Child Rights and You started his career in the development sector as a Child Rights activist three decades back. He is associated to CRY for the last 20 years.

Rally in Ukhrul- Manipur against Right violation of women and children

Convention on Right to Education begins

http://www.ifp.co.in/nws-15072-convention-on-right-to-education-begins/

IMPHAL, June 22: Manipur Alliance for Child Right (MACR), Thoubal branch in association with Nehru Yuba Kendra, Thoubal has today convened a discussion program on Right to Free and Compulsory Education 2009 which is popularly known as RTE at the Election Counting Hall in the complex of Deputy Commissioner Thoubal, in which L Nabakishwor Singh (IAS), ADM Thoubal, E Manglemjao Singh, Up-Adakshya of Thoubal Zilla Parishad and Sh Budhi Singh, ZP of Langathel were on the dais as president, chief guest and guest of honour respectively.

While giving her key note address on the convention, Narengbam Nonibala Devi said that MACR has been working to render child related services which are guaranteed by the constitution of India and further saying that to protect the right of the child is an obligation for the governments, both at the state and centre. However, realizing the rights by the children is still a big question as there are cases of child rape and abandoning of newly born children in Manipur. Even though, government is formulating child related laws such as Juvenile Justice Act and RTE, their protection and security is still uncertain.

She further said that this program is being organised to make aware the general public and attention of the stake holder of the child related problems and further mentioning that school dropout children is increasing while child labour and sexual assault are also becoming a never ending state issue, said it.

Afterward, there was a technical session in which K Pradip, Convener of MACR delivered a lecture on the topic ‘Implementation Gaps and Challenges of RTE’ while H Priyokumar, Deputy Inspector of Zone III was a resource person on the topic ‘Provision of Children’s Education under RTE’. T Rameshwor, retired teacher moderated while the head masters of various schools and members of MACR participated the technical session, said it.

`Children`s Right to Protection is below the average in Thoubal District` `“Mala Lisam

http://kanglaonline.com/2013/06/childrens-right-to-protection-is-below-the-average-in-thoubal-district-mala-lisam/

IMPHAL, June 12: The chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) Thoubal district, Mala Lisam today said “the universally acknowledged right of the children for their protection is below the average in Thoubal district.” This statement was made in the discussion on ‘Juvenile Justice Act 2000’ which was organised in the conference hall of the Integrated Rural Development Service Organisation IRDSO, Wangjing.

Mala Lisam has lectured on ‘Structure and Legal Provision under Juvenile Justice Act, 2000’ (known as JJ Act) mentioning that there are provisions in JJ Act for the welfare and wellbeing of the children. She said that if a child involved in a crime, the child should be treated fairly in order to trace the cause of the crime. Under the provision of JJ Act, no children should be awarded severe punishment. She further said that right of life, right to grow, right to protection and right to participate is mandatory while mentioning that the follow up programme after rehabilitation was zero in Manipur.

Under ‘after case programme’ of the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) of the government of India, there is provision for providing an amount of Rs. 500 but this facility was not available due to non implementation of the scheme, said the chairperson.

The chairperson also expressed concerns on the killing of girl child and rejecting of girl child after childbirth thereby throwing away girl child in Manipur.

Another resource person K Meghachandra Singh, SDPO Yairipok was also delivered on the topic ‘Crime against Children and Juvenile Police Unit’ articulating that there were intermittently misunderstandings between public and police in handling an investigation under juvenile justice case by juvenile police unit and expressing that cooperation is necessary for better result. The SDPO further said that district Police have supervised all police officers who are handling woman and child related cases for smooth and steady closure of their cases.

Nonibala Narengban, secretary IRDSO said in her key note address that ‘crime against child is higher in Thoubal district than other district’ revealing statistics that ‘out of the 12 cases of child missing in the entire state in the year 2012, Thoubal district shared 5 cases while 5 rape cases of girls were from the same district out of the 11 cases of the entire state.’ The secretary added that ‘a new case was found from every public discussion which demanding a concerted effort of the law enforcing agency, judiciary, medical department etc’, said it.

In today’s discussion, the reporter of AIR, Thoubal also delivered on the topic ‘Crime against Children and Media’ while Md Riaz JJ Board member, Thoubal talked on the care and concern of the child. S Sorojini Devi secretary of All Manipur Nupi Marup was moderated the function.

The discussion programme made the following recommendation: implement child marriage prohibition Act; provide rape victim trauma counseling centre to all districts; etc.

Implementation of ICDS, ICPS in total disarray: Nina Nayak

http://thepeopleschronicle.in/?p=19237

The implementation of the ICPS, ICDS and Juvenile Justice Act in Manipur is in total disarray, asserted Nina P Nayak, Member of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

She was speaking to media persons after an open discussion on the concerns and challenges on issues related to the implementation of different schemes for child rights which was organized by Manipur Alliance for Child Rights and supported by CRY (Child Rights and You) at Hotel Nirmala on Friday.

Nayak stated that the main purpose of her visit to Imphal was to inspect the rehabilitation facilities provided by the state government to the 23 children rescued from an orphanage home at Jaipur on March 12, 2013. She said it was found that the police have not even filed an FIR against the main accused, Jacob John.

For this purpose she visited Ukhrul from where majority of the children came from. During a two hour long discussion with the Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul District, the latter informed her that five persons including Jacob John were booked on charges of child trafficking and sexually abusing the children.

She stated that during her visit to Ukhrul she came across the plight of the staffs of the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) office there, all of whom have not been paid their salaries for the last one year. Above these, there are complaints regarding the failure to provide the facilities guaranteed under the RTE Act, she asserted adding that the DC had been made aware of the situation and urged to look into it.

She also narrated about her visit to the adoption centre at Bishnupur District informing that she found out that there was not a single child there and the agency has been violating all the laws prescribed for adoption. There are around seven adoption agencies in the state but maximum of them are not functioning properly.

She also stated that the system and the structure of several schemes in the state are not in place. The Manipur State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) had been established but there are no adequate infrastructure and staff. Since Manipur is an insurgency prone area, the Government needs to show more concern for the children, she stated adding that they should be given proper care and assured the enjoyment of the facilities given by the Central Government. MSCPCR has a great role in implementing such schemes successfully, she said.

“NGOs in the state working in this field are doing a great job but they have not succeeded in persuading the legislators to get them involved in movements for protection of the rights of the child” she said adding without their involvement the movement will not gain momentum as only they can bring up such issues at the Assembly.

Need To Set Up Fast Track Courts To Try Child Molestors Mooted Children issues highlighted to NCPCR

http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/tseitm-27041-need-to-set-up-fast-track-courts-to-try-child-molestors-mooted-children-issues-highlighted-to-ncpcr/

IMPHAL, Jun 7: A number of NGOs and child right activists today highlighted the various problems and issues being faced by children in Manipur to National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Member Nina P Nayak during a consultative meet held at Hotel Nirmala here today.

The consultative meeting held at the initiative of Child Rights and You and the Manipur Alliance for Child Rights deliberated on JJ Act, ICPS, ICDS, Prevention of Child Sexual Offence Act, child trafficking and migration etc.

Speaking at the meeting Pradip of the Manipur Alliance for Child Rights said that children in Manipur are being denied their fundamental rights because of the protracted armed conflict situation.

Whereas many children have been victimised by the twin issue of HIV and drugs, the State Government is shying away from its responsibility, said the NGOs.

As women helpline is not opened in all districts of Manipur, girls often find themselves in the event of any harassment or sexual violence. Pradip also highlighted the urgent requirement of setting up fast track courts for speedy trial of all accused involved in sexual violence.

There are around 12 children homes in the State which are being run with grants given by Government. But the Government has not been releasing necessary fund/grants in time. For this year too, no fund has been released so far.

The Manipur State Commission for Protection of Child Rights was set up just for name sake in the absence of even the most basic infrastructure. Women Action for Development secretary Sobita Mangshatabam said that the level of human right violation in Manipur by armed state actors and non-state actors has been rising.

Given this highly insecure situation, children are not given their rights fully.

Number of child labourers, orphaned children, children who cannot afford formal schooling and malnourished children is growing day by day. In addition, more and more children are being targeted for trafficking and sexual abuse.

During the current year till the month of May, 55 children have been made victims of violence and harassment in Manipur. These included eight rape cases, two cases of rape plus murder, while 28 children were rescued after they were trafficked outside the State, Sobita said.

During the same period, two children committed suicide, five disappeared without any trace, one molested, four abandoned, two recruited as child soldiers and another physically assaulted.

Even though JJ Act is being enforced in Manipur, two children who were caught committing criminal activities are being lodged in jail instead of putting them in juvenile home.

Sobita also submitted a memorandum to the NCPCR Member and sought intervention of NCPCR for identifying the number of children affected by armed conflict, children living with HIV, child labourers, disabled children and children made victims of trafficking for the Government of India and the Government of Manipur to launch special welfare package for these hapless children.

Implementation of JJ Act in its true spirit and setting up of special juvenile police unit in each and every police station was another demand/point highlighted through the memorandum.

CWC Thoubal Chairperson Mala Lisham said that there is only one childline service in Manipur and it is based at Imphal. She urged Nina P Nayak to recommend the State Government to launch childline service in very part of Manipur.

Annie Mangshatabam underscored the importance of holding sensitisation workshops for politicians and bureaucrats so that they can understand issues, problems and rights of children.

Many other child right activists coming from different parts of Manipur also spoke at the meeting.

Later NCPCR Member Nina P Nayak assured that the NCPCR would study the issues highlighted at the meeting today and make appropriate recommendations to relevant authorities.

Absent office’ surprises NCPCR member

http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/tseitm-27038-absent-office-surprises-ncpcr-member/

IMPHAL, Jun 7: National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Member Nina P Nayak was taken by surprise on learning that no office, staff and infrastructure have been provided till date for the Manipur State Commission for Protection of Child Rights even though it has been more than seven months since the commission was set up.

In addition, members of the commission have not been paid their salaries.

Following the rescue for 23 Manipuri children from an illegal Jaipur children home in March this year, Nina P Nayak arrived at Imphal on June 5 to make a direct assessment of the problems and issues of children in the State.

Speaking to media persons today, Nina P Nayak decried that the Government of Manipur has not been implementing child welfare programmes properly.

Nina visited the children rescued from Jaipur at Ukhrul district headquarters on June 6. There she interacted with the Ukhrul DC, SP, SDO and CWC members.

She also interacted with parents of the rescued children and examined condition of the children being accommodated at an adoption agency run by the Government.

Parents of the children rescued from an illegal Jaipur children home run by one Pastor Jacob two years back said that the children were sexually abused repeatedly by Pastor Jacob. However, not a single FIR has been registered against Pastor Jacob till date.

Nina P Nayak said that they received a number of complaints for not implementing properly JJ Act, ICDS, ICPS, RTI Act and also for not giving compensation to victims of trafficking.

It is surprising that the Government of Manipur has been keeping the Manipur State Commission for Protection of Child Rights defunct in spite of the huge responsibility associated with the commission towards ensuring protection of child rights.

It is a matter for serious concerned that the Manipur State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has not been provided necessary office, staff and infrastructure apart from not paying salaries to the commission’s chairperson and members.

Nina P Nayak would leave Imphal tomorrow after meeting relevant officials of the State Government.

NCPCR Member shocked over child rights abuse in State

http://www.hueiyenlanpao.com/headlines/item/10380-ncpcr-member-shocked-over-child-rights-abuse-in-state

Hueiyen News Service/Imphal, June 7: Member of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Nina P Nayak has expressed shock over the incidents of unrestrained violation of child rights in the State.

She is on a four-day visit to the State to take stock of implementation of ICPS, ICDS, POSCO Act, JJ Act and RTE which are meant for the welfare of children.

Addressing media persons at the conference hall of Hotel Nirmala today, Nina Nayak said that various schemes and legislations have been made for the welfare and protection of the rights of children in the country. However, the Government of Manipur seems to take little interest in the welfare of children. There has been unrestrained violation of child rights due to sheer negligence of the State government, she noted.

It is a matter of great surprise that the government of a small state like Manipur could not safeguard the rights of children even though children in other big states are being well protected under the provisions of Juvenile Justice Act, Nina lamented.

She further said that various NGOs are working hard for the protection of child rights in the State, though the government stands in complete disregard to the issue.

Nina also condemned the failure of the State Government to pay honorariums to Anganwadi workers and helpers for more than a year and also its inability to file an FIR against the owner of Grace Home, Jaipur where 20 children from the State were abused and tortured.

She said that she would take up the issue of child rights violations in Manipur at NCPCR and do the needful for the welfare and protection of rights of children in the State.

Meanwhile, Nina Nayak has informed media that she has met Minister for Social Welfare Mirabai, Home Secretary and IG (Intelligence) who assured her that JJ Act and ICPS implementation as well as ICDS and RTE would be given get priority in the State and Manipur Child Rights Commission will get infrastructure staff and status as soon as possible.

NCPCR member follows up development on Jaipur trafficking case

http://www.ifp.co.in/nws-14744-ncpcr-member-follows-up-development-on-jaipur-trafficking-case/

IMPHAL, June 7: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, member Nina P Naik today attended a press conference at the Hotel Nirmala.

The NCPCR member was in the state to check on the 23 children from the state rescued on March 12 from two illegal children’s homes of Jaipur. She told media persons that she had met 20 of the 23 children at their respective homes and further expressed her satisfaction that the children are back in their homes safe and sound.

However, she lamented that the police have failed to register any FIR in the case.

She continued that she has met with the Ukhrul Deputy Commissioner on the issue regarding the safety and well-being of the children.

When asked the actions taken by the district authorities concerning the alleged trafficking of the children, the DC retorted that five traffickers have already been arrested by the police, she said.

Continuing further, she said employees of the Integrated Child Protection Scheme have been denied a year’s salaries. She further lamented that the RTE is not properly functioning in the district and she further added that she had asked the DC to look into the issue.

The Manipur Alliance for Child Rights lacks infrastructure and staffs, she said.

Manipur being an insurgency infested region, the MACR is an important office for ensuring child rights, she said.

She further appealed to the state MLAs, Ministers, NGOs and the general public to ensure that such child trafficking incidents are not repeated in the future.

A Memorandum submitted to Ms Nina P. Nayak , Hon’ble Member, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) during her visit in the state of Manipur Submitted by: Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR), Manipur state on Friday the 7th June, 2013 in Imphal.

Dear Madam,

Manipur Alliance for Child Rights, a common platform for NGOs, Individuals, Civil Societies working for  protection  and promotion of  the rights of the needy children/ juveniles  of the state hereby submit this memorandum to  you  with a high hope that you will take up necessary prompt initiative to protect the rights of the children by giving  suitable directives and recommendations to the state and central government.

That, even after enactment of various progressive legislations and purposeful schemes and projects, the relentless  violence against children  have been occurring, under which  girl children are bearing the brunt of atrocities and violence at the most.

The most heinous crime i.e. “Custodial rapes of minors” specially the tribal children from Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel etc inside the  illegal  homes based in, Jaipur (Rajashthan), Kerala, Tamilnadu and other metro cities of India is so rampantly occurred. Several hundreds of children who had been enticed to give free education and accommodation to those outside states’ were recruited from the poor villages of these districts, where developmental and poverty elevation schemes have hardly reached.  The innocent children were then put into those home and  exploited, used as child labour besides sexually and physically abused.  Thus, their  right to excess to equitable quality formal primary education was grossly violated while other fundamental rights were also consequently robbed, as  in many cases, children were incarcerated  in a virtually sub human condition, with no basic foods and amenities like toilets (As testified again by  pastor John Jacob’s Jaipur Grace Home case).

Murdering of rape victims across the state is alarmingly increased in recent times, that necessitated   prompt executive decision and response of the state and national government, policy and administrative reforms, police and judiciary reforms, are also  similarly called for  to relook upon fulfilment of India’s commitments to UN Conventions, International laws and  International Humanitarian  Rights Standards including UN Convention on Rights of the Child.

We selectively lay down few recommendations, urging your good self and good office to consider for making official directives and recommendations so that State/Central government are convinced and obliged to  translate the recommendations into actions:

.

Our  Recommendations

1.       State or central government authority should   setup of 24 X7 Toll Free Women Helpline for 9 districts of the state, complying the directives and hon’ble supreme court and considering the immediate needs for protection of rights of the girl children.

2.       State and national Government should  provide  trauma counselling and free treatment services for victims of rape and other  forms of violence committed against women and girl children. We urge to NCPCR  for passing necessary appeal and recommendations, so- that such basic needs are actually accessible to  the needy victim women and children in the state, where a prolonged armed conflict persistently has brought countless collateral injuries to women and children population. Such vulnerable population is exposed to the conflict without any safe passage and safeguards enjoyable by them as enshrined in UN CRC, other international human rights and humanitarian laws.

3.       Setting  up of Fast Track Courts in every district of the state for fair and speedy trail of   rape cases  within a maximum period of 60 days has not been complied with by the concerned authorities, despite the fact that hon’ble supreme court has given its directives to set up such courts. We urge to set up Fast tract Courts/ Special courts/children’s courts  for every districts in Manipur with adequate number of dedicated full time  judges.

4.       The criminal investigation system needs to be reformed and revitalised as the present system is almost a failed system. Many serious offences such as rape and murder of women and minor girls ended without any due prosecution and conviction of culprits,  as police fail to submit charge sheets against the accused persons within the stipulated time. Manipur state long after its  merger into India in 1949, has no a well equipped Foreignsic Science  Laboratory for conducting few delicate tests, but still depends upon labs of Kolkata (West Bengal).  The  prolonged time consuming testing process has  resulted in to justice delayed -  justice denied. For deliver fair and speedy judgment to rape and murder cases of women and children a well equipped Foreignsic Science Lab must be constructed in the state of Manipur.

5.       Inclusion of gender education, life skill and livelihood education in school education, providing  child friendly counselling facilities to all the educational institutions in order to empower and educate the young people  is highly needed.

6.       India government recently enacted “The Criminal Law (Amendment ) Act 2013”,  the Act gives impunity to the security forces, as no prosecution can be taken up in the law courts against the accused security forces who has allegedly committed sexual assaults, without prior permission of the government. The impunity provision of the Act implicitly and explicitly encourages the intention to commit rape and violence against the women and girl children by the security forces in the state. It  makes  lives of women and girl children  more defenceless, as heavy security forces have already  been deployed in the name of counter insurgency, enjoying the impunities of draconian law   the  Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, 1957 .

7.       Urged upon NCPCR, to recommend upon  Manipur state to set up adequate number of Girls Homes in the state. It is a fact that Manipur state has not set up  any  Girls Children Home till now, besides   there is no separate Special Home and Observation Home for Girls in the state.

8.       Continuously irregular and unreasonably delayed in the release of funds for  children homes and shelter homes  becomes an  internalised  system in the state. The  whole amount of ICPS norm’s grant-in –aid  for the government supported children homes, shelter homes run by NGOs in the state, for last year i.e  for the financial year  2011-12,  was  released so lately   in the month of August 2012, after a delay of 5 months from the  end of financial year. For the current financial year 2012-13 the grant has not been released till now.

How, can we expect quality intuitional care from these homes, if their funds are not timely released.    Besides, required staffs for DCPUs under ICPS are not appointed till now causing a great lost for marginalised children who are waiting benefits of ICPS scheme.

A strict monitoring system to ensure quality services of the homes, giving training to the  children homes’ staffs, conducting periodic social audits are crucial for bringing transparency  and accountability of these institutions.

9.       The recently exposed, long time hidden case  of Jaipur’s Grace Home run by pastor Jacob John , in which around 30 children from Ukhrul were abused and exploited resulting in some children died, many suffered deformity, even became pregnant and giving birth to a child,  must be immediately investigated after filing an FIR in Ukhrul. Though the heinous crime allegedly committed by pastor John Jacob and other culprits, was,  perhaps, concealed by the parents and guardian as they did not aware the right approach to reveal their agony. Now NCPCR has received complaints from the parents and guardians, we demand befitting punishment to pastor Jacob John the main culprit and others  involved in Jaipur child exploitation and abuse case, as per law.

We urge that, the trial should be held in Manipur state not in Jaipur. Further, NCPCR is pleaded to ban all the unregistered children homes ever found all over India.  A comprehensive educational and economic rehabilitation apart from medical treatment, counselling and mainstreaming of all the trafficked survivors children in the state is higly needed.

10.   Eviction without proper alternative arrangement denying  the right to education, health and right to life of the children, has become an institutionalised policy of the state. State authority even dishonour court’s standing order by dismantling  the houses and properties thereby making internally displaced people. After Loktak eviction, Lamphel Yaipha Leikai eviction, airport expansion eviction, the latest eviction action took place at  Kabo Leikai, Imphal East  areas, where the state evicted  the local settlers for  a proposed  5 star  hotel.

In the abrupt eviction action, around 300 children, most of them school going ones  suffered a lot,  as they were forced to leave the place and compelled to take refuge in different villages at their own risks. Children stopped  going to their own schools. State should take up alternative arrangements to protect the  fundamental rights of the children belonging to the eviction victim families.

11.   The Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) which was set up after a massive social and legal pressure on November 2, 2012 in the state, is being   put into most incapacitated position, that chairperson and members are left to run the commission on voluntary basis,  without giving any support  staff, logistics,  not even  an office building of its own,  let alone  honorarium and allowance . The Childhelpline needed to  run by the MCPCR  for monitoring RTE implementation is not yet setup, depriving the right to redress the grievances of children. Urged upon to look into the matter and please advice and direct the state government so that  basic necessities are provided to MCPCR and its basic  duties are  properly performed.

12.   Urged to monitor and take up follow up actions constantly so that Children’s right to free and compulsory education Right to Education, a fundamental right for every child in the state is not violated in any manner, but truly implemented.

13.   Finally urged to recommend to the concern authorities, so that children’s emergency  outreach service i.e. Childline,  which is now only operational  in Imphal municipal areas,  could be extended to other districts of the state in the best interest of children.

        With warm regards

                                                                                                                                        Yours truly,

Keisam Pradipkumar

Convener,

Imphal the 7^th June, 2013                                                                                 Manipur Alliance for Child Rights

Manipur kids suffered sexual abuse in Jaipur home

http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/tseitm-26882-manipur-kids-suffered-sexual-abuse-in-jaipur-home/

Sweta Dutta 
Jaipur, Jun 2 : Following interaction with families in Manipur who had sent their children to a Jaipur-based illegal children’s home, social activists have alleged that batches of children went back home with severe physical deformities, sexual abuse — and in one case even pregnant. Four children reportedly died on their way back home.

Ukhrul District Alliance for Child Rights, a non-profit organisation in Manipur, has filed a report to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, pointing out over 30 cases of physical and sexual abuse of children lodged in Grace Home in Jaipur.

Grace Home, run by Pastor Jacob John, was raided on March 12. In two other following raids, 53 children were rescued by an NGO FXB India Suraksha, Rajasthan Commission for Protection of Child Rights and Jaipur Police. From the rescued lot, one girl had complained of repeated rape and another of molestation.

Since a large number of the rescued children — 23 out of 53 — were brought in from Manipur, social activists in the state attempted to reach out to the children who were pulled out of the home by their families between 2004 and 2009.

The report states four children died: two on their way back in the train, one in Grace home and one died of TB after reaching her house. Other children who were pulled out of the illegal home came back with severe physical deformities, particularly knock knees, and mental retardation.

“They all came back with knock knees. Some were brought back by the family because of sickness. Some were brought back as they had been away from home for too long. Parents shared that when they arrived home in Ukhrul, they had great difficulty coming down from bus and walking down the sloping road. They were limping,” the report said.

“Almost all of them have disfigured legs. This is observed mostly in girls. Girls said they were given two types of medicine as vitamins. Some got severe stomach pain after consuming the medicine. One girl said she did not take the medicine when other girls complained of stomach pain. Incidentally, her legs are not disfigured.”

Felicita Shongvah, president, Tangkhul Shanao Long, Delhi, another non-profit organisation fighting for the cause, told The Sunday Express, “A number of minor girls were sexually exploited and in one case, the girl got pregnant. It is said she has delivered the baby, who is with her grandmother now, while the girl is missing. The children also confided they saw Jacob sleeping with the girl inmates.”

Jacob has been arrested and is likely to be shifted to Manipur soon.

Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph said, “We will file a chargesheet on Monday. We will try to get him back for further interrogation.”