Imphal, October 25: Even as numerous legislations have been enacted and various schemes conceived for the rights and welfare of children, these tiny tots continue the be the wrost hit in the prevailing conflict situation.

The provisions of Article 39 of the Indian Constitution which pledge to safeguard their freedom and dignity and protect them from harassment and injustices remain a hollow promise in the State.

In addition, article 36 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child ratified by more than 100 countries also states that the States should protect children from all sorts of prejudicial exploitation.

Even though India too ratified the Convention on December 11, 1992, children are caught in the violent conflict situation.

Even unborn children in mothers' wombs are not spared from the harsh reality.

In an incident related to the prevailing conflict situation that took place at about 8.30 pm of September 30 at Umathel under Waikhong police station, the life of an unborn child was terminated even before it could see the world when her innocent mother was assaulted by personnel of 21 Assam Rifles.

Moreover, three school going children also fell prey to the rage of the AR troops.

Further, the rampaging AR troops physically tortured almost all the villagers of Umathel Mathak Leikai, Makha Leikai and Kalika Lok Maring village located about one and half kilometre away from Umathel landing many of innocent victims in hospitals for days.

Women and children also bore the full brunt of the rampaging AR troops.

Unable to bear the physical torture in the aftermath of September 30 ambush, Kh Khambi Maring prostrated before the AR personneland pleaded for mercy.

But instead of hearing her pleadings, the security personnel turned their wrath on Khambi.

She was thrashed black and blue besides being hit on her abdomen with rifle butt.

Already a mother of three, 30 year old Khambi was four months pregnant with her fourth child.

Due to the assault of AR troops, Khambi suffered excessive bleeding leading to a miscarriage.

She was rushed to JN hospital the next morning.

Since then she has been confined to bed.

In the post ambush incident, one secondary level student also suffered extreme atrocity at the hands of AR troops.

Recalling the night-marish experience, mother of E Kenedy, said that they were preparing to retire after having dinner when heard gun shots at about 8.30 pm of the fateful night.

They took cover under their beds.

A few moment later, they heard the sounds of approaching vehicles.

Kenedy, naive as he was and oblivious to what was in store for them, reassured his mother, "Don't be frightened mother, security personnel have arrived.

Everything will be all right".

At the moment some security personnel called out to open the door in Manipuri.

Before the door could be opened, they barged in breaking down the door.

Then they took Kenedy and his father outside.

Contrary to his expectation for security from security personnel, he was thrashed severely in the verandah.

He was then led to the gate asking him to point out the house of one Chinglen.

"At the gate I heard my son crying out in pain as he was again assaulted there", recalled Bino.

"As I ran towards my son, they dragged my son away on the ground into the midst of darkness" said weary eyed Bino with fear still writ large on her face.

Though unable to see her son in the darkness, she could hear Kenedy moaning and writhing in pain.

Helpless and terrified as she was, Bino rushed towards the direction.

Even as he was unable to stand erect, Kenedy inquired about his father.

He said, "Mother I'm all right.

Have they set father free".

When he was brought in, Kenedy straightened out as if he was suffering from some severe spasm.

On consulting doctor on the next day, they were told to keep Kenedy in a quiet place as he suffered severe harassment and mental torture besides severe blows in the head on the previous night.

However, Kenedy just cannot stay by himself in a quite room.

Traumatised by the nightmarish experience, Kenedy use to speak in delirium.

"Of our four children, he is the only son.

It was our dream to make him an educated and competent person", conveyed Bino while expressing anguish and deep rooted apprehension of her son ever getting fully recovered mentally and physically from the brutal incident of September 30 night.

Shanti, mother of another victim of the AR brutality recounting of the day's incident conveyed deep shock and anger at the conduct of security personnel.

Moments before the cruel incident unfolded, 15 year old Sanathoi was just back home after watching television in the neighbourhood.

Shortly after the gunfire, some AR personnel barged into the house and dragged out Sanathoi.

They kicked him and clubbed all over his tender body at the courtyard.

His aunt Amujaobi and mother Shanti who rushed in to stop the beating were also thrashed blue and black.

Sanathoi sustained severe injuries in the arms, stomach, chest, thighs and back.

Since then he has refused unable to attend school.

He was so terrified and psychologically so disturbed that without someone beside him, he just cannot eat by himself or stay alone, leave apart venturing outside from home.

Though he was mentally a very strong lad earlier, Sanathoi could not bear barking of dogs.

He becomes nervous and hysteric.

Disturbed and worried at the changing nature of her son, Shanti decried, "I curse them for torturing my ignorant and innocent son with such brutality so as to terrify him permanently.

If they are out to kill and torture innocent children, why don't they kill their mothers first?".

Another 12 year old boy was also made a prey of the AR wrath.

They have so terrified the young mind that he has refused to go to school.

There was unanimous condemnation from all quarters against this incident of victimising innocent civilians including women and children because of the armed conflict between security forces and UG groups.

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