IMPHAL, August 23: The Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) has appealed to all concerned stake holders to ensure safety, security and child friendly measures while dealing with juvenile protestors considering the strong participation of young children in the ongoing `Mass Indefinite Hunger Strike` in the State.
In a statement, the Child Rights Commission expressed grief over the alleged maltreatment of certain juvenile hunger strikers, who were undergoing treatment at RIMS, as reported in media.
The Commission reminded all concerned that it is mandatory for police and everyone dealing with the children/ juveniles to fully adhere with the `Fundamental Principles` as laid down in `The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Rules, 2007`.
In any circumstances, the dignity of the juveniles should not be undermined, it added.
The statement further expresses its unhappiness over the recent decision to withdraw Routine Medical Checkups and Ambulance Service by the Directorate of Health Services, Government of Manipur.
It recommended resumption of Medical Checks-up of the Hunger Strikers particularly juvenile hunger strikers with Ambulance service for pick-up for critical ones.
Medical Service being an essential one should not be called off by the concerned authority on the pretext that some doctors, nursing stuffs on duty were attacked, Ambulance Van were damaged by the protestors or medical service rendered were refused by the hunger strikers, it added.
The Child Right Commission has also appealed to protestors, general public and all Civil Bodies to comply with the universally accepted norms and standards to be maintained during conflict situation and said it is imperative to exempt the medical service, doctors, nurses or ambulance from the strictures of agitation and should not do any harm to them, the press release issued by its Member, MCPCR said.
