Woman arrested for assaulting minor in Wokha

DIMAPUR — A 9-year-old minor, who had been residing with a couple in Wokha as a helper, was subjected to physical assault by the wife, resulting in severe injuries including burnt marks and ‘black and blue’ bruises in various parts of her body.

The 39-year-old accused has been apprehended and is currently in police custody at Wokha Police Station.

According to Mhonchumi Humtsoe, the chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) in Wokha, the child had been living with the couple for about four years and is enrolled in Class III at a Government Middle School in Wokha.

Humtsoe revealed that the victim, who had memorised her father’s contact number, managed to call him from a neighbour’s phone on Tuesday evening to inform him of the abuse. Subsequently, her elder brother retrieved her from the accused’s residence.

On Wednesday (March 20), the victim’s father, a widower, filed a case at the Wokha Police Station.

The child, during interactions with the CWC, disclosed that this was not the first instance of assault, but she never told her father, even though he visits her occasionally.

Humtsoe further disclosed that another 16-year-old minor girl, also residing as a helper with the accused, was rescued by the CWC and is currently under the care of a children’s home. Although the minor did not have fresh injuries, she admitted to being physically assaulted on some occasions during her one-year stay in the household.

Provided updates about the case, a police officer from Wokha Police Station stated that upon receiving information around 3 pm on Wednesday regarding the abuse of a minor by her guardian, they promptly arrested the accused, who is currently under investigation.

The officer confirmed that the victim’s father had lodged a First Information Report (FIR) on Wednesday, resulting in the accused being booked under sections 323, 324, 354 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code and section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act.

As of now, there is only one confirmed victim, but investigations are ongoing, the officer said.

The victim has been handed over to her father, and following the registration of the case, she has been taken to the hospital for a medical examination and is receiving necessary medical treatment.

Meanwhile, the Wokha Additional Superintendent of Police and Public Relation Officer (PRO), K Soriso, issued a press release stating that all efforts are being made to thoroughly investigate into the case and bring the perpetrator to justice.

Expressing gratitude to the community for their support and co-operation in ensuring that incidents of child abuse are promptly addressed with decisive action, the PRO emphasised the importance of maintaining law and order in light of recent events.

“While we understand the understandable outrage and concerns sparked by the incident such as the recent case of child abuse, it is imperative that we all abide by the principles of justice and due process,” the release stated.