NEW DELHI: The government on Wednesday informed the Parliament that Maoists and terror groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammad and Hizbul Mujahideen may be using children in their operations.
However, the Home ministry said there is no information that children were being used as human bombs by these terror groups. There are reports some terrorist or extremist groups in the country, such as the Maoists, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Hizbul Mujahideen, are misusing children to further their agenda, said Union Home Minister for state Kiren Rijiju.
In the left-wing extremism affected states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar, there were reports that "some groups use children in their nefarious designs to destabilise the state", the minister said during the question hour.
The minister, however, added that the government was trying to open schools and carry out skill development activities to bring the children in left-wing extremism affected areas to the mainstream.
Union Home Minister for State Hansraj Gangaram Ahir also responded to a similar question posed by parliamentarian KVP Ramachandra Rao who wanted to know children were being forcibly recruited into antisocial armed groups.
Ahir said,"The government is aware that some terrorist/extremists groups in the country forcibly induct children as armed cadres and for other supporting activities. 'Police' and 'Public Order' being state subjects, action with respect to maintenance of law and orderlies primarily in the domain of the State Governments concerned, who deal with the various issues related to extremists and terrorist activities in the States. The State Governments initiate legal action on a case-by-case basis in such matters.
The Central Government supports the States by providing CAPFs and helping States to build their capacities to tackle terrorists/extremists groups. The government has also enacted "Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 making punishable use of children by militant groups or adults for illegal activities."
While replying to supply questions, the minister said there was a reference in the United Nations about armed conflicts in India, to which government has objected. "There is no armed conflict in India. We have objected to a reference in the UN," he said.