The East Siang police arrested one Hen Johnson Baithei, the boys’ hostel warden of Sanggo English School in Mebo, East Siang district, on the charge of sexually assaulting minor students. Baithei allegedly sexually assaulted hostel students over an extended period of time.
The crime came to light after a student developed urogenital complications and was admitted to Bakin Pertin General Hospital, Pasighat, for treatment. Three minor boys were reportedly sexually abused by the warden.
A case has been registered under Sections 4(2) and 6 of the POCSO Act, 2012, at the women police station in Pasighat, while the Arunachal Pradesh State Human Rights Commission (APSHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of the case after it was reported in the media.
Repeated cases of sexual assault on children have surfaced in the state.
Many offenders have been sentenced to jail, yet there seems to be no deterrent effect. The Education Department needs to implement effective child protection mechanisms in all schools, and these must be stringently enforced. Each time an assault occurs, there is anger and frustration, yet the increasing number of such incidents is alarming. Therefore, drastic steps must be taken to prevent such crimes in the future.