The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Union Home Secretary to submit a consolidated report received from all the States within eight weeks regarding the employment of children as police personnel and Maoists in the entire country.

Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist RadhakantaTripathy, in his petition in 2013 had alleged that large number of children has been employed as soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir, north eastern States and in turbulent areas of the country. He alleged that the children are also engaged as Maoists in ultra-hit States like Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, etc.

Considering the seriousness the NHRC had served notice to the Union Home Secretary who subsequently submitted some details before the NHRC. Since the details were not complete the apex human rights watchdog sought further response from the Home Secretary.

States like J&K, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Nagaland have submitted their report. Odisha Government too have submitted its report mentioning that no instance of recruitment of children as soldiers by armed groups, including the Maoists has come to notice in Maoists infested Subarnapur and Kalahandi districts.

In his rejoinder Tripathy submitted that the reports submitted by the Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Governments admit employment of children below 18 years in the police.

The petitioner contended that while the Rayagada SP admits in clear terms regarding the secret employment of children in Maoist activities and sexual harassment by the senior Maoists, the report submitted by the Mayurbhanj also provides some details of children employed by Maoists.

Tripathy requested the NHRC to investigate the cases State-wise by sending the Special Rapporteurs, formulate policies and recommend appropriate measures to combat the menace of children being illegally used by the State and by the extremist groups.