The use of child soldiers during the Maoist insurgency is an essential component of the transitional justice process. But the law has left it out so far.

As a relevant law is under discussion in the parliament, we can still incorporate this issue and other transitional justice-related issues to take the peace process to its logical conclusion in a true sense. 

This issue has already entered the court, with a writ petition registered. Hopefully, it will get the attention of all concerned parties.

Skirting the issue of child soldiers will invite serious socio-political complications and impact the transitional justice process. So, policymakers must keep their eyes open and address it without further delay.

We held a discussion on the matter and concluded that it must be treated as an issue of utmost importance as the use of children in any kind of war is a serious violation of human rights.

The author is a political analyst