Imphal, February 06: The election manifestoes of all the major political parties contesting in the 9th Assembly elections make little mention of child welfare programmes and policies to protect children from crime and violence.

However, the Indian National Congress which is fielding three women candidates in the Assembly elections, has assured that it would establish separate Courts to settle cases related to crimes and violence against women.

The Congress manifesto also mentions that women police would be strengthened.

Other assurances made by Congress through its manifesto include enhancement of the number of women employees in Government establishments, extension of monetary aid to self-employed women, establishment of separate hostels for Muslim and SC/ST girls.

Child welfare schemes under ICDS and immunisation programmes for children would be pursued more vigorously, it said.

On the other hand, the Manipur Peoples' Party which is putting up a lone woman candidate, said that it would open a production cum training centre exclusively for women.

It also promises that the MPP would safeguard the dignity of women.

MPP, however, does not make any mention about child welfare programmes and policies.

Empowerment of women, institution of special schemes for women running their families and to give them greater employment opportunities, prevention of crimes against women, reservation of 33 percent seats in Parliament and the State Assemblies, development of women markets in line with changing requirements and promotion of small scale industries run by women, are some of the political aspirations of CPI as highlighted in their manifesto.

Interestingly CPI is fielding only two women candidates.

Concerning children, CPI said that it would strive to bring back children from work place to class rooms besides making all efforts to check atrocities against children.

To ensure education of girls upto the secondary level, provision of education and health facilities to handicapped children and constitution of State Children Commission are some other points of the CPI manifesto.

BJP which is fielding three women candidates, pledges to establish women police station in every district of Manipur and to constitute separate cells for women and to empower them.

Child welfare programmes and their issues do not feature in the BJP manifesto.

Though the MSCP has failed to field any woman candidate, it advocated reservation of certain percentage for women in job allocation in addition to extending aid to women through co-operative banks and promotion of women entrepreneurs.

It too do not mention the party's stance on issues related to children.

As a part of empowering women, NCP which is fielding one woman candidate, assures to establish a women technology park.

It also promises to take up special programmes for the welfare of children.

The Naga National Party promises to include a woman in very village authority council besides ensuring participation of district and local development programmes.

NNP having a single woman candidate, makes no mention of its policy on children issues.