16-year-old gang raped, 6 including 2 juveniles arrested

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 3, 2020

JOWAI: A 16-year-old minor was gang raped by a group of seven persons including two juveniles in a remote village of West Jaintia Hills District.

The incident took place on January 1, after a community feast organized by the village dorbar as part of celebrating and welcoming the New Year. The victim and the accused persons hailed from the same village.

Acting on an FIR filed by the family members of the victim with the in-charge of 8^th Mile Traffic Cell on Thursday, a police team led by Dy.SP (Traffic) D Moksha was formed for arresting the accused persons.

West Jaintia Hills superintendent of police, Lakador Syiem told reporters on Friday that six accused persons including two juveniles have been arrested while one is still absconding.

Syiem said efforts are still being made to locate and arrest the other co-accused person at the earliest.

While four accused persons – identified as Ribah Phawa (31), Libim Phawa (20), Mehi Dkhar (22) and Kermiki Shylla (18) – have been forwarded to court, the two juveniles were also produced before the Juvenile Justice Board, he said.

A cognizable case was registered under relevant sections of The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for investigation.

Asked, Syiem said one of the accused persons is also having some criminal cases registered against him.

The SP said that the police are committed to ensure that justice is delivered to the victim and that such heinous crime has to be condemned from all levels.

Earlier, Dy.SP (Crime) CW Lyngdoh informed that on receiving a written complaint that the minor girl was subjected to gang penetrative sexual assault, she was immediately taken for medical examination and treatment in a district hospital.

She said in the interest of the victim, information was also communicated to the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and Child Welfare Committee, Jowai, for counselling, rehabilitation and other support services.

Asked, Lyngdoh said that the incident took place at around 9.30 – 10 pm of January 1. She said the minor girl met the accused persons while returning home after visiting some of her relatives nearby.

“We have decided to take it as a special case which will be under the supervision of a gazetted officer,” the Dy.SP said.

Meanwhile, the SP said that the incident of gang rape was the first in the district in recent years.

To a query, Syiem said that the village defense party (VDP) were mainly concentrated on the place where the community feast was held during the day of the incident.

He however asserted the need for the VDP to intensify security during such festive seasons.