Childhood Disrupted
Listen to excerpts from Outlook's One Nation,One Election issue by Pragya Vats
Transcript
00:00 I am Pragya and I bring to you excerpts from the latest issue of Outlook.
00:04 One nation, one election. One nation, many people.
00:08 The issue brings to you diverse debate and points of view on the idea of one nation and one election.
00:14 Childhood disrupted by Prasoon Goswami.
00:17 He is a campaigner for disarmed schools and safe childhoods.
00:20 In conflict-ridden Manipur, children are witnesses to extensive violence which can lead to severe post-traumatic stress disorder.
00:28 The ongoing armed conflict in Manipur has displaced more than 70,000 people.
00:33 As per government data, more than 14,545 displaced students in five districts,
00:39 worst affected by the ethnic clashes are Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Chura Chandpur and Kangpokpe.
00:47 They have been sheltered in relief camps. More than 3,000 of them are below five years of age.
00:53 News reports say that schools in the hill districts of Manipur have been closed for more than three months now.
00:59 Children living in the relief camps have been forced out of school.
01:02 Around 100 schools across the state have been turned into relief camps.
01:06 As per the state government's submission to the Supreme Court,
01:09 schools have not been able to function in the three hill districts of Chura Chandpur, Kangpokpe and Tegnupal.
01:16 Many schools across the valley have been vandalized.
01:19 Imphal's St. Peter's School and Children's Treasure High School of Torbung village were burnt down by an armed mob.
01:25 It has been reported that many children are being used as child soldiers.
01:30 Several teenagers have been undergoing arms training after being forced out of school.
01:34 News agencies say that there is a dire food shortage in Thonju Kendra relief camp in Imphal and Saikot relief camp in Chura Chandpur.
01:43 Medicines are also in short supply for the children living there.
01:46 Lactating mothers in relief camps lack proper nutrition,
01:49 owing to which they are unable to provide the requisite nourishment to their infants.
01:54 For these and more, read the current issue of Outlook.