Geeta Seshu, a scribe who covered the 1993 communal riots in Mumbai as well as the train bombings in 2007, said: 'Media coverage of such events from the victims' perspective is not enough. The media is, of course, an expert at anniversary coverage. Such reminders are, however, not enough. There is no sustained effort in covering what the victims' plight is after they have been affected by the violence to the time they are rehabilitated.'

Orissa-based journalist Manipadma Jena, who has done a series on Maoist insurgency and the plight of tribal women and girls there, added: 'In such circumstances of conflict so much is compromised. Innocent people are trapped in war. Education is a casualty. So much so that parents are forced to send their children as recruits to become human shields for top Maoist leaders. The government there admits that rehabilitation is not a priority.'

Chairing a session, Planning Commission member Syeda Hamid observed that victims' testimonies needed to be carefully considered when thinking about how to protect women and children in conflicts.

Former Union minister Mani Shankar Aiyar suggested that work should be done to institute a 'National Authority for Conflict Disaster' that could work towardS rehabilitation of victims on the lines of the National Disaster Management Authority.