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BASAR, AUG 22: The Special Judge (POCSO)-cum-Additional District & Sessions Court Basar in Leparada district has convicted Deepak Debnath, 24, and sentenced him to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for kidnapping and repeatedly sexually assaulting a minor girl. The judgment was pronounced on August 21 by Basar Special Judge (POCSO) Jaweplu Chai in POCSO Case No. 02/2024, arising from Daporijo Police Station Case No. 22/2024. Debnath was convicted under Section 363 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012. According to the case records, Debnath, who was working as a cook at a restaurant in Daporijo, kidnapped a 13-year-and-eight-month-old girl from New Market Daporijo on March 19, 2024. He subsequently took her to Dumporijo and confined her at different locations, including a local hotel and rented accommodation at Fishery Colony, where she was repeatedly sexually assaulted. The incident came to light after the victim’s mother lodged an FIR at Daporijo Police Station on March 25, 2024. A police team led by Sub-Inspector T Kaye traced and rescued the minor and apprehended the accused. After examining the evidence presented during the trial, the Special Court found the prosecution had established the offences and held Debnath guilty. For the offence under Section 363 IPC, the Court awarded five years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 3,000, with an additional six months’ imprisonment in default of payment. For the offence under Section 6 of the POCSO Act, he was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 20,000, with an additional one year’s imprisonment in default. Both sentences will run concurrently. The Court also directed that the fine amount, upon realisation, be disbursed directly to the minor victim for her rehabilitation in accordance with Section 6(2) of the POCSO Act. The period already spent in detention during investigation and trial will be set off against the sentence as per law. Special Public Prosecutor (POCSO) Karken Angu represented the State during the proceedings. The convict was informed of his right to appeal before the higher court and his entitlement to legal aid for pursuing such proceedings. The judgment underscores the stringent legal consequences for offences against children and highlights the importance of timely reporting, effective investigation and coordinated law-enforcement action in ensuring justice and protection for vulnerable children.  

MIPI, AUG 22: A major joint search and rescue operation continues in Mipi Circle of Dibang Valley district following the catastrophic cloudburst and flash flood of August 14 that swept away two shelters at an Army camp in the Pasu Pani area and left five Army personnel missing. Seven Army personnel were caught in the sudden floodwaters, of whom two were rescued and evacuated for medical care, while five remain untraced. The incident and subsequent search operations have been reported by officials and multiple media outlets. Specialised teams of the Indian Army, assisted by the district administration and other agencies, are continuing the search under extremely difficult terrain and weather conditions. Search teams have expanded operations across a wide and treacherous area, using both machinery and manual methods to clear heavy debris around the affected site. According to the latest operational update, Army teams have searched an extensive 60-km stretch of the river from the incident site towards Etalin, deploying specialised assets to access otherwise difficult areas along the river. The search is being supported by Army helicopters, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), drones, Army divers, trained sniffer dogs and Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR), besides ground-based search teams. Earlier reports had also confirmed the involvement of the Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), civil administration, police and other agencies in the continuing operation amid extremely challenging terrain and weather conditions. The authorities are continuing efforts to locate the five missing personnel, with search operations being maintained across the affected area and downstream stretches. Further updates will be issued as the operation progresses. (Source: DIPR)      

TEZU, AUG 22: A one-day workshop on the “Child Rights and Protection Framework” was held at Amik Rangy Hall here on Saturday to raise awareness on child rights, legal safeguards and protection mechanisms. The workshop was organised by the Indian Council for Child Welfare-Arunachal Pradesh (ICCW-AP) in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Tezu, District Administration and All Mishmi Women Welfare Society. The programme was attended by Tezu District & Sessions Judge Gote Mega, Lohit Deputy Commissioner Kesang Ngurup Damo, Lohit Superintendent of Police Thutan Jamba, DLSA Secretary Rido Pina and Deputy Director WCD Solel Longling. ICCW Life Patron Jarjum Ete delivered the keynote address, while Rido Pina proposed the vote of thanks. The technical sessions covered a range of issues concerning child rights and protection. Advocate Geyir Potom introduced participants to child rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), while Advocate Maya Maga discussed the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, its legal framework, school protocols and available legal remedies. Psychologist Tantu Karap addressed child mental health, academic stress, depression and coping mechanisms. Soben Karap spoke on bodily autonomy, consent and personal boundaries, while Sub-Inspector H Jugli highlighted digital and cyber safety. Padma Shri Sathyanarayan Mundayoor, popularly known as Uncle Moosa, along with Nishanlu Kri of Bamboosa Library Tezu and Banika Kri of Medo Library, highlighted reading techniques and different approaches to reading. They also presented a skit based on a book written by a Lohit Youth Library Network volunteer and discussed the importance of creating safe spaces for children through libraries and reading spaces, including at home. The final session, on substance abuse among children and its prediction, protection and prevention, was conducted by Rise Again Foundation Coordinator Leaveso Ama. The workshop was highly interactive, with participants engaging in discussions and sharing views on strengthening child protection mechanisms and creating safer and more supportive environments for children.

TAWANG, AUG 22: A two-day legal awareness programme organised by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Tawang in collaboration with District Police Tawang concluded at Mago village on Saturday, focusing on strengthening legal literacy, improving police-judiciary coordination and taking legal services to people at the grassroots. The first day focused on legal aid provisions, victim support mechanisms and procedural requirements under key criminal laws. Tawang CJM-cum-Secretary DLSA Christina Mum Norbu explained provisions of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) relating to free legal aid for arrested persons and the mechanisms available to crime victims for obtaining compensation, legal assistance and rehabilitation support. Special Public Prosecutor Khamo Desisow conducted a session on the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, covering procedures for search, seizure and arrest in drug-related cases, judicial precedents and the importance of strict procedural compliance during investigation. Special Public Prosecutor Atum Lamnio spoke on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, with emphasis on child-friendly investigation, victim protection and the responsibilities of investigating officers in cases involving children. Advocate Lawang Norbu highlighted common procedural lapses in police investigations and, through practical case studies, stressed the importance of proper documentation and maintaining the chain of custody. Tawang Superintendent of Police Tasi Darang emphasised close coordination among the police, prosecution and judiciary for effective administration of criminal justice. Tawang AD&SJ-cum-Chairman DLSA Ito Basar also underscored the need for cooperation among stakeholders to make justice accessible, efficient and responsive. The day concluded with an interactive discussion on operational and procedural challenges faced by police personnel. On the second day, the programme was taken to Mago village to directly engage the rural community on legal rights and available services. Tawang District & Sessions Judge Ito Basar explained the fundamentals of the Arunachal Pradesh Civil Courts Act, the functioning of civil courts, available legal remedies and basic civil rights. Tawang Civil Judge-cum-CJM Mary Jonnam spoke on child rights and provisions relating to the Juvenile Justice Board, highlighting safeguards, protection and rehabilitation mechanisms for children in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection. DLSA West Kameng Secretary Tashi Wangchu explained the role and functions of the DLSA and informed villagers about avenues for accessing free legal aid and legal representation, particularly for eligible and vulnerable persons. Tawang DySP Togum Gonggo highlighted the importance of police-public cooperation in maintaining peace and preventing crime, and urged villagers to approach law enforcement agencies without hesitation whenever assistance is required. The programme concluded with an interactive session in which villagers directly raised legal issues and sought clarification from judicial officers, legal experts and police personnel. The initiative reflected the joint commitment of DLSA Tawang and District Police Tawang to strengthening legal literacy, expanding access to justice and building greater trust and coordination among the judiciary, police and communities, particularly in remote areas of the district. (DIPR)

TAWANG, AUG 22: A 29-year-old man was swept away while swimming in the Nyamjangchu River near Namtsering village under Lumla Circle in Tawang district on Saturday, prompting a search operation by local residents and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel. The missing man, a resident of Jangda and son of former Tawang District Medical Officer Dr Wangdi Lama, was travelling towards Zemithang with six friends when they were reportedly forced to halt after the road leading to Zemithang was blocked. The group later stopped near the river, where some members went swimming. The 29-year-old was swept away by the strong current while in the river. Local residents of Namtsering immediately joined the search, while SSB personnel launched an operation along the river. Lumla Circle Officer Tseten Droima reached the spot and is overseeing the search and rescue efforts in coordination with the local administration, SSB personnel and villagers. Strong currents and difficult terrain have posed challenges to the operation, which continued along downstream stretches of the Nyamjangchu River. Authorities and local residents have urged people to exercise extreme caution near rivers, particularly during periods of strong currents and adverse weather conditions. (Source: Mon Tawang Vigilance)