Imphal, July 11: The Manipur government is grappling with another major challenge after many unidentified newborn were left behind by their parents in relief camps.
Since May 3, Manipur has witnessed massive ethnic-violence and many people have taken shelter in relief camps.
According to reports, over 50 such children, mostly from four worst violence-hit districts of Manipur, including orphans, have been transferred to children’s homes with the government monitoring the process.
“Many parents have gone back to their villages to attend to farming and left the children behind in the relief camps. Even a newborn was found without parents in a relief camp in Bishnupur district, which speaks volumes of the plight of about 12,000 children who have gone through harrowing times in the Manipur violence,” said an official.
A total of 17 children have been separated from their parents because their guardians have gone to protect their villages and also for farming.
The reunion of some of the children with their parents has been heartening of late but most of the kids left behind by the parents are still in the custody of childcare homes.
“They are with their relatives in relief camps. Another 17 children became orphans in the ongoing ethnic violence. But another 57 children who have been shifted to children’s homes are the neediest. Their relatives and parents approached us, expressing their inability to take care of their wards at home in this troubled situation,” said an official.
According to the government records, till Monday, in 253 relief camps located across 10 districts of Manipur, 2,805 children between 0 and 6 years are camping with their parents or relatives, whereas the biggest chunk (9,831) are in the 7 to 18 age group.
The baby rescued by Childline volunteers and New Life Foundation staff is surviving on formula milk.
