Maoists in India recruiting children, says UN report

June 21, 2012: Maoists in India are recruiting and indoctrinating children as part of mass mobilisation, a United Nations report has said. The annual report of the UN Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict was submitted to the Security Council last week.

"Maoist or Naxalite armed groups particularly in Chhattisgarh and some districts in adjoining states, are recruiting and indoctrinating children, and have constituted children's squads and associations (Bal Dastas, Bal Sangham and Bal Manch) as part of mass mobilisation," it said quoting official record.

The UN said the information was supported by a 2010 National Commission for Protection of Child Rights report. The NCPCR report indicated that children were being recruited by Naxals through intimidation and abduction and were used in support roles, including as lookouts, messengers, porters and cooks.

The present report provides information on grave violations committed against children, in particular the recruitment and use of children, sexual violence against children, the killing and maiming of children, the abduction of children, attacks on schools and hospitals, and the denial of humanitarian access to children by parties to conflict in contravention of applicable international law.