Many children participating in stir: CWIN

April 23, 2006
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A study report has presented an alarming picture that children working in the transportation sector, school-going children and the street children are involved in protest programmes.

A report prepared by CWIN, an NGO working in the field of children after monitoring children in Kathmandu Valley from April 6 to 20 said that a total of 182 children below 18 years of age have been injured in Kathmandu Valley so far; and among the 81 children below 16, three are severely injured.

However, the report said it could get details of only 95 injured children — four girls and 91 boys between 13 and 18 years. Of the injured children, 51 were between 17 and 18 years, 28 between 13 and 16 years and 16 below 13 years.

Of the 95 children, 13 have sustained firearm injuries, 23 head injuries, 12 cuts and bruises, nine injuries to the limbs, seven eye injuries, two fractures, and 29 minor injuries.

Most of the children, 49, were injured in Gongabu, while 15 were hurt in Kirtipur and 10 in Chabahil.

“It’s no surprise to witness children participating in the ongoing protests since they have much time to spare and youthful energy to boot,” The Himalayan Times daily quoted Tarak Dhital, spokesperson for CWIN as saying.

Exposing children to risk is a violation of their rights. It is the responsibility of the State, the society and the parents to protect them from the dangers involved with demonstrations, Dhital added.

According to the report the children are involved in activities like burning tyres, blocking roads, and shouting slogans.

Thirty-four injured children were provided treatment in Kathmandu Model Hospital, 50 were taken to the Community hospital, Gongabu, 22 to the Binayak Hospital, Gongabu, 10 to the Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj, eight to the Om Hospital, 17 to the Patan Hospital, 21 to the Bir Hospital, seven to the Friends of Patan, two to the Nepal Medical College, four to the Medicare Hospital and four to the B and B Hospital.

Additionally, 27 children were injured in demonstrations outside Kathmandu Valley. nepalnews.com pb Apr 23 06