In a significant effort to strengthen child protection systems in Manipur, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), in collaboration with the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR), organised a State-Level Conference on “Gaps and Challenges in Implementation of Key Child Rights Legislations” at the Imperial Hall, Classic Grande, Imphal, on Wednesday. The one-day conference brought together key stakeholders from diverse sectors, including senior government officials, members of the judiciary, police officers, educators, representatives from child-care institutions, and civil society groups. The event aimed to identify existing shortcomings in implementing major child protection laws and to develop strategies for more effective coordination between institutions. Deliberations during the conference centred around major frameworks such as the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, and the Manual on Safety and Security of Children in Schools.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Sanjeev Sharma, Member Secretary of the NCPCR, underscored the need to view child rights cases as “human stories rather than statistics.” He emphasized that the government’s legal and administrative efforts must be supported by sustained participation from local communities, institutions, and individuals. “Safeguarding child rights cannot be achieved in isolation. It requires awareness, accountability, and collective responsibility,” Dr. Sharma said. Highlighting NCPCR’s recent achievements, Dr. Sharma informed that over the last six months, the Commission had disposed of around 26,000 cases, rescued more than 2,300 children, and repatriated over 1,000 children to their home districts. He also shared new initiatives being launched by the Commission, including projects addressing mental health challenges among children, the development of AI-based tools to curb Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), and strategies for improving the implementation of existing laws.
Dr. Sharma further encouraged Manipur schools to adopt the “Sugar Board” initiative, aimed at strengthening child participation and safety mechanisms at the school level. Addressing the gathering, Keishiem Pradip Kumar, Chairperson of the MCPCR, drew attention to the plight of internally displaced children affected by recent ethnic and social conflicts in Manipur. He said the Commission has been actively addressing issues of mental health distress, school dropouts, and child labour in relief camps through seven mental health and psychosocial support clinics.
