Northeast

Red Hand Day in Manipur: Hundreds of students observe International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers

As part of the observation of International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers, hundreds of children read and enacted short plays of testimonies of former child soldiers.

ByIFP Bureau

Updated 13 Feb 2022, 5:10 am

(Photo: IFP)
(Photo: IFP)

 

Hundreds of students observed the International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers or the Red Hand Day at several places in Manipur on Saturday.

The Centre for Women and Girls (CWG) at the Cherith Foundation School at Pallel, Kakching district stated in a release that the event which was supported by Terres des Hommes, Germany was attended by 70 children and youths including students from Cornerstone Academy, Pallel in Kakching district.

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CWG secretary Hechin Haokip spoke on the significance of the day, the ways in which children are vulnerable to recruitment, and the various roles assumed by child soldiers like porters and informants, it stated. Highlighting the difficulties faced by child soldiers during reintegration, she urged the children to express their solidarity toward child soldiers around the world, it continued.

Speaking on the occasion, Cherith Foundation principal Kimsi spoke about her experiences of witnessing small uniformed child soldiers and urged the children to pray for their fellow brothers and sisters, it added.

As part of the programme, children read and enacted short plays of testimonies of former child soldiers, after which the event was concluded with the children dipping their hands in red paints and imprinting them on a cloth ‘symbolising a stop to the use of child soldiers,’ it further stated.

Since 2022, events have been organised on this day around the world to draw attention to the issue concerning the use of children by state and non-state armed groups, it mentioned. 

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The Day was also organised at various places of Kangpokpi and Noney district on Saturday by InSIDE North East with the slogan ‘Stop Using Children as Soldiers’ as a campaign against child soldier recruitment.

The event was observed at Joujangtek, L Salemphai, Wakonphai, C Aisan and Tangkanphai, in Kangpokpi and Noney district. The event was attended by Toshi Ao and Rajeev Pillay from National Foundation for India, and director of Foundation for Social Transformation Riturbarna.

The event commenced with Riturbarna’s speech encouraging the children to focus on their studies in order to become an asset to the nation. Speaking on the occasion, InSIDE North East director Hejang Misao said that the Red Hand Day observance is in sync with its flagship programme ‘Gun2Pen’ that envisions every child as responsible and contributing citizens.

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Noneykangpokpikakchingred hand daypallelCWGInternational Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers

IFP Bureau

IFP Bureau

IMPHAL, Manipur

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