IMPHAL, Nov 14:  Children’s Day in Manipur took a somber and defiant tone this year as students across the state participated in “Black Children’s Day” protests, demanding the safe return of six individuals, including three children and a 10-month-old infant, believed to have been abducted by Kuki militants. The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) Students’ Front led the protests, criticizing the state government for its inability to ensure the safety and release of the abducted persons.

School students held rallies, brandishing placards that read “Today is Children’s Day, Release the Innocent Children,” expressing their anguish and impatience at the lack of progress in rescuing the missing individuals. Teachers and students across the region joined in chanting the same demands.

On Wednesday, Leaders from the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) also met with the governor in Guwahati, stressing the need for immediate intervention amid the escalating violence, which has led to a humanitarian crisis, with civilians being killed and women and children going missing.

To support the state’s law enforcement, the Ministry of Home Affairs recently deployed an additional 20 companies of CRPF and BSF personnel. Following instructions from the Home Ministry, the Director General of Assam Rifles has reached Churachandpur to oversee efforts to secure the release of the six Meitei hostages abducted in Jiribam.

“According to the Home Ministry’s instruction, the DG of Assam Rifles has already reached Churachandpur for the safe release of the six abducted Meitei people from Jiribam, Manipur. Great efforts from the Ministry of Home Affairs; grateful to Hon’ble HM Shri Amit Shah ji and @PMOIndia,” posted Manipur MP Leishemba Sanajaoba on X, acknowledging the central government’s support on Thursday.