ES Reporter 

ITANAGAR, Jul 31:  In a significant development, the Bail granted to accused Yumken Bagra, charged with sexual assault of 21 minors at a government residential school in Karo village, Shi Yomi district, has been cancelled by the POCSO special judge, Jaweplu Chai, at the Itanagar permanent branch of Guwahati High Court, Yupia today. The judge further ordered the accused to be produced either physically or virtually after the 14-day judicial custody.
The accused, Bagra, who served as the hostel warden at the school from 2014 to 2022, was arrested on November 13, 2022, by the capital police from the Papu Nallah area. However, on February this year, he was  released on bail, raising concerns among the victims' families and society at large.
"The trial in the case is now set to be expedited," said  Vice Chairman of the issue, Taju Tapen, confirming that it will be completed within two months as stated by the legal experts from the court rooms. The delay in the trial has been a cause of distress for the victims' families, who feel that the Shi Yomi District police's lackadaisical approach hindered justice, added Tapen.
“According to the State Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT), the accused allegedly sexually assaulted 21 children aged between 6 and 12 years from 2019 to 2022. However the investigation done by the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR) revealed multiple victims and implicated several individuals from the school administration in assisting the accused, stated Member APSCPCR, Jumtum Minga.
Earlier, the POCSO Court granted Bail to the accused Bagra, however observing the gravity of the case, the Gauhati High Court took Sou-Moto cognizance and filed Bail cancelation petition.
Meanwhile, the Arunachal Pradesh Women's Welfare Society (APWWS) welcomed the intervention of the High Court, which has compelled Yumken Bagra, the alleged perpetrator of sexual assault against 21 children, to turn himself in. The APWWS expressed hope that justice will prevail in the court of law, with Bagra receiving exemplary punishment for his heinous crimes.
The society stands firm in its belief that individuals like Bagra have no place in civil society and will always pose a threat to others. The APWWS applauds the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for conducting a thorough probe into the matter.
The revelation of the sexual, mental, and physical assaults on the children by their own warden has deeply saddened the APWWS, with their hearts weighing heavily. Nevertheless, there is some respite as the perpetrator is now in custody. The road to recovery for the survivors will be long, but the society's team in Mechukha is committed to offering all possible support to the survivors and their families., informed President APWWS, Kani Nada Maling
The APWWS earnestly appealed to the Arunachal Pradesh government to provide necessary assistance to the survivors and their families during this difficult time.The society now looks forward to an early judgment in accordance with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, aiming for swift justice to be served, added Maling.

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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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