MCPCR has urged the Manipur government to notify the State Policy for Children, 2026, by November 14, citing the urgent needs of nearly 30,000 displaced children.
Imphal, Oct. 29: The Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) has appealed to the state government to expedite the approval and notification of the Manipur State Policy for Children, 2026, by November 14, marking National Children's Day.
In its appeal, the commission urged the government to complete the necessary legal and administrative procedures, secure Cabinet approval and formally notify the policy by the stipulated date.
The MCPCR said the policy's notification was particularly urgent given the prolonged ethnic conflict in Manipur and its impact on children from different communities. According to the commission's statement, nearly 30,000 internally displaced children from the Naga, Kuki and Meitei communities have suffered amid the continuing crisis.
The commission stressed that further delays would postpone the implementation of an important commitment to protect children's safety, dignity and future.
The MCPCR noted that the draft Manipur State Policy for Children was first published for public suggestions in 2020 through Notification No. AB-301(4)2/2020-SW-SW, dated November 12, 2020.
A revised draft was subsequently issued in 2026 under the same notification number, dated June 26, inviting further public comments.
Despite the two rounds of public consultation, the policy is yet to be formally notified, according to the commission's appeal. It has now urged the government to complete the remaining formalities and secure Cabinet approval to bring the policy into effect.
The commission also highlighted the longstanding involvement of its chairperson in the policy's development. The chairperson served as convener of the Drafting Committee in 2017, making the proposed policy a continuing institutional commitment to children's welfare in Manipur.
The MCPCR said the policy's notification should be treated as an urgent priority, particularly in view of the challenges faced by children displaced by the ethnic conflict.
Children living through displacement can face disruptions to their education, family life, security and access to essential services. The commission's appeal places the proposed policy within the broader need to safeguard the rights and well-being of children affected by the crisis.
Calling on the government to meet the November 14 deadline, the MCPCR said National Children's Day should mark a concrete step towards securing a better future for every child in the state.
The commission reiterated that children deserve safety, dignity and hope, and urged the government to translate the longstanding policy initiative into a formally notified state policy.
