Aayushi Shah
Introduction
In a country that guarantees the right to education, health, and protection for every child, it is
easy to overlook those who live in the shadow of conflict. Children in India’s conflict-affected
regions—such as Jammu & Kashmir, parts of the Northeast, and Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)
zones in states like Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand—live with persistent fear, insecurity, and
systemic neglect. Their lives are shaped not only by violence but by the quiet erosion of rights,
services, and state accountability. Despite legal frameworks promising care and protection, the
ground reality reveals a worrying gap between policy and practice.
The Impact of Conflict on Children:
Education Disruption
In conflict zones, education is often the first casualty. Schools may shut down due to violence,
curfews, or occupation by security forces. In Kashmir, for instance, prolonged internet
shutdowns and movement restrictions have disrupted education for years—schools remained
closed for over 32 months, and more than 100,000 children in grades 1–8 were out of school by 2023 (Human Rights Watch). In LWE-affected districts, teachers are often reluctant to serve due to safety concerns, with teacher absenteeism in some areas reaching up to 44% (J-PAL).
As a result, children—especially girls—drop out early; nationally, 40% of girls aged 15–18 are out of school, and in conflict zones, this figure is estimated to be higher—widening existing educational inequalities.
Health and Psychological Trauma
Exposure to violence leaves deep psychological scars. Many children suffer from trauma,
anxiety, and post-traumatic stress, with minimal access to mental health services—India has only 0.75 psychiatrists per 100,000 population, and even fewer in conflict zones (WHO, 2021).
Physical health also suffers as conflict disrupts vaccination drives, access to clean water, and
nutritional schemes. According to NFHS-5 data, in many conflict-affected tribal districts, more
than 35% of children under five are stunted or underweight. Displaced families often lose access to even basic health infrastructure.
Recruitment and Exploitation
Armed groups operating in insurgency-affected regions frequently recruit or exploit children. In LWE areas, children are used as couriers or informants. A 2021 NCPCR report documented
instances of child recruitment in 14 LWE districts across five states. Girls are particularly
vulnerable to trafficking and sexual violence—India saw over 6,000 cases of child trafficking in
2022 (NCRB), with higher prevalence in regions affected by armed conflict. These practices not only violate Indian law but also breach international conventions on child rights.
Displacement and Identity Loss
Conflict often leads to large-scale displacement of tribal and rural populations. According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), over 600,000 people were internally
displaced in India due to conflict and violence between 2019 and 2022. Children from these
communities lose their homes, documents, and school records. Without identity papers like
Aadhaar or birth certificates, many are excluded from education, food rations, and
healthcare—pushing them further into cycles of poverty and exploitation. In tribal districts, less than 50% of children aged 6–14 possess the necessary documents to access government schemes (UNICEF India).
Legal and Institutional Safeguards
Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
The JJ Act identifies children affected by armed conflict as needing special protection. It
mandates Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) and District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) in
every district. However, in many conflict regions, these bodies are inactive or non-existent.
Staffing shortages and lack of training worsen the situation.
Right to Education Act, 2009
The JJ Act identifies children affected by armed conflict as needing special protection. It
mandates Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) and District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) in
every district. However, in many conflict regions, these bodies are inactive or non-existent.
Staffing shortages and lack of training worsen the situation.
Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS)
ICPS aims to create a protective environment for children through child care institutions, foster care, and outreach services. However, its reach is limited in insurgency-hit regions, where even basic governance is absent. Implementation suffers due to low budgets and fragmented coordination.
Role of the NCPCR
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is tasked with monitoring
and ensuring the enforcement of child rights. While it has intervened in specific cases in Kashmir and the Northeast, its effectiveness is constrained by limited powers and weak follow-through.
Governance Gaps and Structural Barriers
Institutional Absence
In conflict-affected districts, juvenile justice boards, CWCs, and Anganwadi centres often exist
only on paper. Many function without trained personnel or regular monitoring. Local
governments are either too weak or too afraid to intervene.
Militarization vs. Welfare
Security concerns often override the welfare of children. In some cases, schools have been used
by security forces, violating international norms like the UN Safe Schools Declaration. India,
notably, is not yet a signatory to this declaration.
Exclusion and Marginalization
Children from tribal, Dalit, or minority communities in conflict zones face multiple layers of
discrimination. Their voices are rarely heard in policy processes. Even within welfare schemes,
there is often caste or community-based exclusion.
Poor Data and Planning
There is a critical lack of disaggregated data on the number and condition of conflict-affected
children. Without reliable data, it is difficult to formulate responsive and targeted policy
interventions. Existing child tracking systems fail to account for conflict-induced displacement
or trauma.
Towards a Rights-Based and Child-Centred Governance Model
Addressing the complex challenges facing conflict-affected children in India requires
coordinated and inclusive governance, not just legal provisions. The following steps can
strengthen child protection in fragile areas:
- Deploy mobile child protection units with trained personnel to reach displaced or remote communities.
- Train teachers, Anganwadi workers, and local officials in trauma-informed care and child-sensitive governance.
- Enforce a clear protocol for school safety, ensuring that educational spaces are free from military use and political interference.
- Empower local governance structures, including Panchayats and School Management Committees, to become first responders in education and child welfare.
- Introduce special legal and welfare packages for children displaced or affected by conflict, including fast-tracked identity documentation and targeted scholarships.
- Strengthen coordination across ministries—Education, Women and Child Development, Tribal Affairs, and Home Affairs—especially in border or insurgency-prone areas.
Conclusion
Children in India’s conflict zones are among the most invisible and underserved
populations. Their rights are not just threatened by violence, but by systemic neglect and
weak governance. While India’s legal frameworks provide a foundation for protection,
much depends on the political will and institutional capacity to deliver on those promises.
It is not enough to declare children as the future; we must act now to ensure that even
those at the margins are seen, heard, and safeguarded.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
About the Author
Aayushi is a BA in Politics and International Relations, Fellow of Law and Public Policy Youth Fellowship (LPPYF)- Cohort 5.0.
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