The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concern over the mobilization of children in agitation and protest program in various districts of the Mid-West region, terming the act 'illegal'. The bandh enforcers in various districts in the Mid-West, including Jumla, had recently involved children during the demonstration, demanding Undivided Mid-West and autonomous Karnali province. A press statement issued by the Commission's Acting Secretary Bed Prasad Bhattarai states that the mobilization of the children in the protest launched on August 15 in the topless state was against the child rights and prevailing law. The Commission, through the press statement, has also urged the protesters not to mobilise such a vulnerable group of persons in such political activities.

Furthermore, NHRC has drawn the attention of the authority concerned to be mindful of the risks involved while mobilizing children in agitation and program like shutdown and strike. It has also underscored the protection of children's rights. "It is sad to see the political parties' cadres using innocent children for the same for serving their political interest. We appeal the political parties not to abuse the children this away," the press release states. Mobilizing children in agitation programs and the like against their will is against the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Children's Act, 2048. Moreover, the statement reminds us that the children are the zone of peace and their use in such political activities is seriously condemned. "The Commission draws the attention of the government to take necessary action against those mobilizing children in agitation and shutdown programmes," states the press release.