Human Rights Watch has demanded that an end should be put to the use of children under 18 years in the Naxalite conflict in Chhattisgarh as it places them at risk of injury and death and also violates international law.
HRW said that all parties in the Chhattisgarh conflict have used children in armed operations.
The Naxalites, a Maoist armed group, admitted that it is their official practice to recruit children above age 16 in their forces, and they have used children as young as 12 in armed operations.
Government-backed Salwa Judum vigilantes have used children in violent attacks against villages as part of their anti-Naxalite campaign.
Text: Vicky Nanjappa | Photographs: Manpreet Romana/AFP/Getty Images
Image: Young special police officers on a patrol in the Naxal-infested area.
Also read: Naxalism single biggest internal security challenge: PM
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