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Militant outfits in Manipur are trying to increase their cadre strength by recruiting local youth between the age of 15-18 years, luring them on the pretext of providing them jobs and good money and later sending them to Myanmar for training. In April alone, five youth from different parts of the state were reported missing as people suspect the militants might have recruited them. Chanam Ajoynao, Sapam Suran and Soraisam Naothoibi have been missing since April 7, while Aheibam Johnson Singh and Yambem Ningthem have been untraceable since April 8 and April 14 respectively. Their families are clueless and are worried. United National Liberation Front (UNLF), one of the oldest insurgent outfits of Manipur has claimed to have recruited Aheibam Johnson. “After kidnapping my grandson, they told us that he would return in three days, but he has not come back till today. I want my grandson to come back even if they kill me for it,” said A Purnimashi Devi, a visibly disturbed grandmother of Johnson. “I want to know where is my son? Where have they taken him and why him only? I am worried about him and cannot be at peace as I keep thinking about him,” said Shamungou, Suran’s father. The militant outfits promise the children a luxurious life and good money. However, what they get is a life on the run, hiding in jungles, orders of their leaders, and constant fear of being targeted by security forces. On several occasions, cadres who have surrendered to the forces have revealed the inhuman conditions they lived in and the trauma they had to endure. They feel cheated and used. “I strongly appeal to all concerned to make it very clear that children below 18 years of age should not be forced to do anything,” said N Sadananda, a senior citizen. People in Manipur strongly oppose the recruitment of the youth by militants. They want them to release the youth and stop violence. “A 13-year-old boy has been missing from our locality. We are waiting for him to return but till now we do not know anything about him. We are worried about him and want his safe return,” said Sharmila Devi, protestor. Umakanta Singh, friend of Johnson and a local resident, claims to have been approached by the insurgents, an offer which he declined. “They told us that we would be happy and get everything we want if we joined them. But I refused to go with them,” he said. Why are these students targeted? Why should they learn how to fire a gun when they should be going to school or playing football? Some tough questions that the insurgents will do well to answer.

Militant outfits in Manipur recruiting youth