Roing, Arunachal Pradesh: In a resolute display of governmental commitment following the recent and profoundly disturbing child molestation incident, Dasanglu Pul, Arunachal Pradesh’s Minister for Women and Child Development, made a critical visit to Lower Dibang Valley on Friday. Her engagement with key child protection stakeholders – the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), and Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) – underscored the state’s unwavering resolve to uphold child safety and ensure swift justice for the young victims.
Minister Pul, during the poignant interaction, conveyed her profound sorrow over the reported sexual abuse of minor girls and unequivocally condemned the heinous act. “My heart goes out to the victims and their families. I have assured them of every possible support,” she affirmed, reiterating that justice would be neither deferred nor denied. She further highlighted the imperative of shared societal responsibility in protecting children, stating with conviction, “No child should ever feel unsafe, whether at home or in any institution.”
The tragic episode unfurled last week, involving a teenage construction worker, reportedly hailing from neighbouring Assam, who stands accused of sexually assaulting at least seven minor girls, aged between five and seven, residing in the hostel of Mount Carmel School in Roing. The girls’ brave reporting of the incident had prompted immediate police action. However, the situation took a violent and unforeseen turn before legal proceedings could adequately progress.
Friday witnessed an outpouring of public rage as enraged parents and local residents stormed the Roing police station, where the accused was in custody. In a deeply unsettling sequence of events, the mob forcibly removed the accused, subjected him to a severe beating, and despite valiant efforts by the police to intervene and transport him to a hospital, managed to recapture him, ultimately leading to his fatal lynching.
Responding to the volatile atmosphere, a curfew was swiftly imposed across Roing to avert any further escalation of violence. The police have since initiated comprehensive investigations into various facets of the case, registering First Information Reports (FIRs) pertaining to child sexual abuse, the subsequent mob lynching, and any potential lapses in institutional safety protocols. The management of the school and hostel is also under rigorous scrutiny for their apparent failure to adequately safeguard the minor residents under their care.
The Arunachal Pradesh government has pledged stringent action against all those found responsible and has unequivocally stressed the critical need for robust institutional accountability. Minister Pul’s visit serves as a powerful testament to the state’s unwavering support for the victims and a poignant call for comprehensive systemic reforms to prevent the recurrence of such heart-wrenching tragedies in the future.