Manipur: Bank accounts opened for IDP children in Kakching

Kakching: The Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) has opened individual bank accounts for internally displaced children in Kakching district, MCPCR Chairperson Keisam Pradikumar said on Friday.

He was speaking at a one-day District-Level Convergence Meeting on the “Issues of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Children,” held at the conference hall of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Kakching.

The programme was organised by the MCPCR in collaboration with the district administration, Kakching, and the District Child Welfare Committee.

Pradikumar said the initiative aims to provide long-term support to displaced children, particularly in education and career-building. He noted that the Kakching Child Welfare Committee has played a proactive role by facilitating the opening of bank accounts for each child.

“The objective of the MCPCR is to ensure timely and effective interventions for internally displaced children, with a strong focus on protection and mental health,” he said.

Pradikumar, a former journalist, added that the Commission has been working at the grassroots level and has held several similar consultations across the state.

Explaining the purpose of the meeting, he said convergence simply means coordinated action, with different agencies and officials working together towards a shared goal.

The MCPCR said around 25,000 children have been displaced by the ethnic violence that broke out in Manipur on May 3, 2023, describing the situation as a grave violation of child rights.

Deputy Commissioner of Kakching, Uppuluri Chaitanya (IAS), urged all stakeholders and concerned departments to work collectively and to the best of their abilities for the welfare of IDP children.

A presentation on the “Issues and Challenges of IDP Children in Kakching District” was delivered by Maibam Robindro Singh, In-Charge District Child Protection Officer. Draft copies of the State Action Plan for the Protection of IDP Children were also submitted to the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police.

The meeting concluded with interactive discussions between officials and IDPs present at the programme.