MEBO, Oct 31: In a significant development from East Siang District, the Sanggo English Medium School at Mebo has been ordered to shut down with immediate effect following multiple complaints of molestation and sexual assault against minor students. The case, which has triggered widespread outrage, has led to the arrest of three individuals — the hostel warden, the school principal, and the accountant — while a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and a Special Medical Board have been constituted to ensure a fair and thorough probe.
According to the SP  East Siang  Pankaj Lamba(IPS), the case came to light on October 29, when a parent of one of the students lodged a complaint at the Mebo Police Station, alleging that the hostel warden had molested and sexually assaulted a minor student. The FIR also mentioned similar acts committed against three other hostel inmates. Considering the gravity of the allegations, the Officer-in-Charge of Mebo Police Station promptly detained the accused and forwarded the matter to the Women Police Station, Pasighat.
The SP further informed that the accused, identified as Hen Johnson Vaiphei (32), a resident of Churachandpur District, Manipur, who was serving as the hostel warden, was arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. He was produced before the Special Judge (POCSO) at Pasighat and remanded to judicial custody. During the course of investigation, further complaints surfaced from additional victims and their parents, implicating the school’s Principal and Accountant for allegedly concealing the offences and failing to report them to authorities. Acting on these new findings, police arrested Th. Hoinu Vaiphei (56), Principal of the school, and Niangdoiting Vaiphei, the school’s accountant, both hailing from Churachandpur District, Manipur.
In the wake of these disturbing revelations, the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Mebo issued an order (MO/JUDL/03/2025) on October 30, directing immediate closure of the Sanggo Residential School until further notice. All staff members have been instructed to remain within the Mebo Sub-Division and not to leave without written permission from the Investigating Officer. Police teams have visited the school premises, seized relevant documents including admission registers and mobile phones, and preserved them for forensic analysis.
To ensure a fair and impartial investigation, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by SDPO Pasighat Dr. Akanksha Milind Tamgadge, has been constituted. The team comprises officers from Mebo and Pasighat Police Stations and is being closely supervised by Superintendent of Police Pankaj Lamba.
Meanwhile, a Special Medical Board has been also formed at Bakin Pertin General Hospital (BPGH), Pasighat, to provide medical care and assessment for the victims. So far, 22 children have been medically examined by the board, added the SP.
Further, statement of the victims and their parents are being recorded in a child-friendly and sensitive manner as per the POCSO Act. Coordination is also being carried out with the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Child Welfare Committee (CWC), and One Stop Centre (OSC) at Pasighat to ensure psychological support, welfare assistance, and rehabilitation for the affected children.
SP Lamba also stated that the investigation is being conducted with utmost transparency and sensitivity, with every effort being made to protect the privacy, dignity, and best interests of the child victims. He emphasized that the police remain committed to upholding the principles of justice under the POCSO Act and ensuring that all offenders are brought to justice.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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