Minors being provided arms training by armed groups, communities in conflict-torn Manipur

Guwahati: Many minors have been provided arms trainging by armed groups and communities in conflict-torn Manipur as child soldiers, named as village volunteers, and the number has increased since the Meitei-Kuki conflict began in May 2023, Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) has revealed.

Chairman of the commission, Keisam Pradipkumar told DH on Thursday that although no survey has yet been done, the number of such children could be more than 100, both in the Meitei-dominated valley and in the hills, where Kukis and Nagas are dominant.

"Recruitment of children by the insurgent groups in Manipur was reported in the past. But the disturbing trend at present is that children, aged between 16 and 17, are being engaged as village volunteers by the communities and provided arms training to defend their villages against attacks by the opposite community," Pradipkumar said. "Such child village volunteers can be seen in the Meitei, Kuki and Naga villages."

The Meitei-Kuki conflict since May 3, 2023 has left more than 260 people dead and over 60,000 others displaced. A few children were also killed and more than 25,000 displaced children have been still taking shelter in relief camps.

"There is an urgent need for intervention to check this trend. The displaced children stand vulnerable and may also be pushed to take up arms as village volunteers. One such child soldier was recently caught by police with a sophisticated weapon. As we still don't see a solution to the ongoing conflict, communities are pushing their children to take up arms and remain prepared for a possible flare up again," he said.

Pradipkumar said recruitment of children in armed conflict is a violation of the the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

When asked why the Nagas are also recruiting village volunteers even as the community is not part of the present conflict, Pradipkumar said, "Probably they are apprehensive about conflict in their villages too. So they are keeping themselves ready for any such situation."

Drop-outs a worry

The MCPCR chairperson further said the ongoing conflict have kept a large number of childen out of school and many have even dropped up. "These dropouts are more vulnerable for such recruitment. The strong sense of anger and hatred among the communities are prompting to increase the manpower of their village volunteers. This is pushing the life, education and careers of many adoldescent boys and girls into darkness," said Pradipkumar said.

The DH in April-May 2024 had highligted the plight of the children due to the Meitei-Kuki conflict conflict and how a large number of children were taken out of Manipur, violating norms.