The examination of the 21 minors, who were victims of sexual assault, was initially scheduled for August 28 but has been postponed to August 31 & September 1 next.

ES Reporter 

ITANAGAR, Aug 29: The Vice Chairman of the Karo Government Residential School (GRS) POCSO case committee, Taju Tapen, expressed dissatisfaction with the postponement of the trial and inadequate security provided to the 21 minor victims scheduled for trial at the District and Session Court in Yupia.
Taju Tapen, addressing the media at the press club, highlighted that the examination of the 21 minors, who were victims of sexual assault, was initially scheduled for August 28 but has been postponed to August 31 & September 1 next.
According to Tapen, on the day of the examination, the victims were brought to the Sessions court, but no separate accommodation was arranged for them within the court premises. This led to the victims having to hide in a police bus and later in a computer room after the intervention of the Special Public Prosecutor. This compromised the victims' identities, which is against the POCSO Act.
Furthermore, Tapen revealed that the trial was unexpectedly postponed to August 30 due to a supplementary charge sheet filed by the investigating agency, leading to additional distress for the victims and their families. As most of the family are from poor backgrounds and cannot afford to stay here in the capital, added Tapen.
The victims' living conditions were described as dire, with the families having anticipated that the state government, particularly the Home Department, would make necessary arrangements as directed by the Guwahati High Court. Regrettably, apart from a few security personnel, the victims received little other support or interim compensation.
Taju Tapen emphasized that the delay in the case stemmed from the investigation agency submitting charge sheets in fragmented segments. This inability to arrest all co-accused promptly and file timely charge sheets suggests that the case cannot be resolved within the two-month timeframe stipulated by the GHC.
Meanwhile, President of the All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) -Women's Wing, Ponung Darang, urged the state government to fulfill the financial and security benefits outlined by the Guwahati High Court for the 21 victims of rape and sexual assaults well as under Victim Compensation Scheme under State Legal Service Authority
Ponung Darang voiced concern over the lack of proper security for the victims, who traveled from Shi Yomi district for the trial. The AAPSU vowed to ensure justice for the minor victims and called on the investigating officer to present the complete charge sheet against the accused promptly, avoiding any further delays.
She also asserted that, there are more than three accused in the case as per the report submitted by the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.We have visited PHQ about the involvement of more accused, and even Chairperson APSCPCR has confirmed that report has been already submitted to the police.
Stating that, she asserted that even the Commission has submitted an application to Education Department a couple of times to take action on the incident but as of now there is no development in the case.

 

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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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