Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 13
A couple in Kohima was arrested by the police on charges of assaulting a 13 year-old girl child. The couple was taken into custody on April 12 based on a complaint filed by the Konyak Students’ Union, Kohima (KSUK).
As per the Kohima police, the victim was employed as a domestic worker by the couple, who were identified as Rulanthung Ezung and Mhalo Ezung. They were booked under IPC section 323 and section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act and investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Queried on the condition of the victim, the Kohima police said that bruises were clearly visible on her.
The victim is currently in the custody of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Kohima. Khriehuzo Lohe, Chairperson of the CWC, Kohima told The Morung Express that the victim has injury marks on the head, ears, eyes, legs and body. According to the statement taken by the CWC, Lohe said that the victim was beaten with a curtain rod.
“We were told that she came to Kohima on March 13 from the village. She doesn’t understand Nagamese. She only knows her own dialect, not the common Konyak language. We could only get few things from her through a statement.”
Lohe said that a CWC team was informed about the incident by the KSUK. The CWC Kohima took custody of the victim on April 12, took her to the Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima, for examination and treatment, later placing her under the care of one of their homes.
“We will take care of the child—her rehabilitation and security is our responsibility. We are coordinating with the Mon CWC and they are working to locate the victim’s village and parents. Only after appearing before the magistrate for hearing to take her statement, we can transfer her to Mon,” he added.
With pictures of the victim and her personal details circulating on social media, Lohe appealed people not to do so as “It will affect the future of the child.” The JJ Act prohibits revealing the personal details of victims (children) of abuse in public, including name, village, place of residence etc.
Meanwhile, KSUK President, Hongpe Maoba, said, while speaking to The Morung Express, that he visited the residence, where the victim stayed with the couple, on Friday morning after being informed of the incident.
“We noticed she had bruises and scars all over the body,” he said. According to Maoba, when he, along with others, returned to the house in the afternoon with the intent of rescuing the victim, her facial wounds were reportedly concealed under cosmetic make-up. The CWC then rescued the victim and the KSUK filed the FIR at the North PS that has led to the inquiry.
