PASIGHAT, SEP 15:
Sustained child-safety awareness initiatives under Project Muskaan have yielded tangible results, with East Siang Police reporting a case in which a school student used information received during an awareness session to seek help for his cousin, leading to the arrest of the accused.
According to police, the child victim was allegedly lured by a 54-year-old neighbour on the pretext of offering sweets, following which the alleged offence was committed. The victim’s cousin brother, also a school student, subsequently sought assistance through Child Helpline 1098.
The boy had learnt about the helpline during a Project Muskaan awareness session conducted by the police at his school. Following information received through the Child Helpline and the Women and Child Development Department, a Women Police Station team led by Lady Inspector Amum Panyang acted promptly and apprehended the accused within an hour.
Following an FIR lodged by the victim’s parents, Women Police Station Case No. 24/2026, dated September 9, was registered under Sections 4 and 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. The accused has been arrested and is presently in judicial custody.
East Siang Police said the case highlights how sustained awareness among children can translate into timely action and protection. The awareness session, it said, enabled the victim’s cousin to break the silence, seek assistance and report the alleged abuse.
Police said the incident was not an isolated outcome of Project Muskaan. Since the school outreach initiative began in November last year, East Siang Police has registered three other POCSO cases following school visits and subsequent interaction with children found to be in distress.
The initiative seeks to create a protective environment for children by promoting awareness, trust, early identification of distress and timely intervention. School-based outreach will continue to focus on recognising safe and unsafe situations, speaking up and accessing support mechanisms, including Child Helpline 1098, Dial 112, the POCSO e-Box and the Police Control Room.
East Siang Police appealed to parents, teachers and community members to remain vigilant, listen to children without judgement and promptly seek appropriate assistance whenever a child shows signs of distress. (DIPR)
