Imphal. April 17 NNN : After a lull of few years, another case of suspected recruitment of child soldiers by outlawed armed organizations operating in Manipur has surfaced again.
Three boys who had gone to watch a football match in a neighbouring village in the outskirt of Imphal on April 7 has disappeared without a trace till today, are suspected to be recruited by a militant outfit into its fold.
Police suspected that these missing boys have been recruited by militants to their outfits.
Meanwhile, the family members of the three boys have filed a missing report on April 10 at Lamsang police station, Imphal West district.
The three boys are identified as Ch. Ajoynao @ Shanti Kumar (15), s/o Ch. Manglemjao of Sairem Khul Polangsoi, S. Naothoibi (15), s/o S. Samungou, of Sairem Khul Polangsoi, and Sapam Suran (15), s/o S. Naoba of Sairem Khul Kangdabi, all under Lamsang police station, Imphal West district.
In connection to the disappearance of the three boys, a sit-in protest was staged today at Sairem Khul Primary School by Sairem Khul Polangsoi Women’s Welfare Association demanding the safe release of the three boys who are all too young to be recruited, said one of the woman taking part in the sit-in protest.
The three boys also reportedly come from very poor families and they are reported to be school drop-outs, said another woman participating in the protest.
The protestors appealed to the kidnappers/recruiters that the three young boys be allowed to return to their respective families as they are still minors, and they also appealed to the police not to interrogate the boys even if they are found so as to not traumatized them further.
The Polangsoi Women’s Welfare Association will submit a memorandum to the chief minister of Manipur at the earliest, and the police will be given a week from the date of submission of the memorandum to rescue the three boys, added a family member of the missing boys.
The three boys are suspected to be recruited by an underground outfit into its fold, said police source.
In the meantime, two teenager identified as L. Pangal Kanba (16), s/o Susil Kumar of Hourang Keirel and Y. Ningthem (18), s/o Megha of Sairem khul Mamang Leikai, both from the same village as the three boys who went missing on April 7, are also reported to be missing since April 11.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/boys-reported-missing-forced-recruitment-suspected/
