MCPCR to approach HC if necessary to secure justice fo butchered kids, women Policy for Children yet to be implemented

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 25: The Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) has registered a suo-moto case in connection with the brutal murder of six women and children in Jiribam. The Commission will approach the High Court if necessary to get justice, said its Chairperson Keisam Pradipkumar today.
Speaking to reporters at his office, the MCPCR Chairperson said the Commission vehemently condemns the brutal murder of the three children including a toddler and three women.
While the MCPCR is working tirelessly to protect children and safeguard their rights, the State is facing a serious drawback for not implementing the draft Manipur State Policy for Children, notified by a Gazette notification in 2020, he said.
The State needs this policy to protect children. It can be implemented only after the State Cabinet approves it. Unfortunately, the State Cabinet has not given the nod till today, he added.
He explained that the draft policy has provisions for the MCPCR to intervene in cases related to children in conflict.
The draft policy has provisions for the Commission to effectively carry out its duties in times of conflict and take up a wide range of measures for protection of children and their rights. However, this policy which would be the arms and legs of the Commission has not been implemented yet, he said.
While the Commission urges the Government to implement the draft policy, the Chairperson said, people and civil bodies must also mount pressure on the authorities.
India's Constitution and its laws including the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act provides for safeguarding and protecting children and women in conflict.
However, these Constitutional safeguards and laws have been violated in Jiribam when innocent women and children including an 8-month-old baby have been abducted as hostage, tortured and shot dead, said the Commission's Chairperson.
This happened even as the Commission urged the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, the National Commission for Women, State's DGP and the Security Advisor and the Chief Secretary to swiftly rescue them, he said.
Now, postmortem reports of the women and children have emerged bringing out to light the chilling details of the heinous crimes. The mortal remains had stab wounds and signs of torture. The Commission takes this very seriously and condemns it in the strongest terms, Pradipkumar said.
On November 18, the Commission for the second time urged the NCPCR and NCW for their intervention. A day later, the National Commission for Women sent a two member team to Manipur, he said.
While the visit of one NCW member-secretary and a member was short, NCPCR is in the process of sending a team. The Commission will be urged in Delhi in person tomorrow to visit the State, he said.
The MCPCR Chairperson further stated the Commission condemns MLA Paolianlal Haokip for justifying the killing of the six innocent women and children.