Shillong, Jul 9: A team of Meghalaya police have been sent to Mizoram to try and track down a youth wanted in connection with a case of rape and sexual exploitation here in Shillong.
The Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) is working closely with the East Khasi Hills police in connection with the investigation into the allegations against the young man, who allegedly fled to Mizoram after the case surfaced on social media.
Police have already registered an FIR and launched an investigation into the allegations, which claim that multiple young women may have been victimised.
MSCPCR Chairperson Agatha K Sangma said the commission has taken cognisance of the matter and is extending all possible support to the investigation while coordinating with the District Child Protection Officers (DCPOs).
“We have taken cognisance of it and an FIR has already been lodged. It is basically a police case but, from the commission’s side, we are supporting the police and our DCPOs are also on the job,” Sangma said, adding that so far only one victim has formally come forward, although authorities suspect there could be more.
“We have located just one person who has come forth. There are likely more victims, but they have not come forward yet,” she said.
Sangma revealed that she had learnt about the allegations independently and immediately reached out to the police and child protection authorities before the matter was officially brought to the commission.
“I got to know about this on my own and contacted both the police and the DCPO on behalf of the commission. That is how we are working together,” she said.
According to Sangma, the accused has fled the state. “The boy who is accused is absconding. He has gone to Mizoram. I spoke to East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem and they are sending a team to retrieve him and bring him back,” she said.
Syiem confirmed that the accused is absconding.
The accused’s father declined to comment when contacted, saying he would speak only after consulting his lawyer.
Meanwhile, Mizo civil society organisations in Shillong convened a joint meeting and unanimously resolved to condemn the act while extending full support to the ongoing police investigation.
The meeting was attended by the Young Mizo Association (YMA), the Mizo Students’ Union and Mizo women’s organisations.
YMA president Ricky Renthlei said the organisations first became aware of the allegations through social media and immediately attempted to verify the claims by contacting the accused and his family.
“We saw everything on social media and felt very bad. The Young Mizo Association, the Mizo Students’ Union and all Mizo organisations condemn this,” Renthlei said.
He said that by the time they managed to contact the accused, he had already left Shillong for Guwahati and was travelling to Aizawl. The matter was then referred to the YMA’s central body in Mizoram, which has asked its local unit to ascertain the facts.
Renthlei said that during Thursday’s meeting, the organisations unanimously decided to publicly condemn the incident while calling for a fair and impartial investigation.
“At present, whatever we know is from social media and we do not have direct proof. But considering the seriousness of the allegations, we condemn this. We want the police to investigate thoroughly and if he is found guilty, he should be punished according to law,” he said.
He also appealed to anyone with evidence or who may have been affected to cooperate with investigators.
“YMA is always ready to assist the police whenever needed. If victims or anyone with evidence find it difficult to approach the police, they can come to us and we will help them. We are happy that the police have already begun investigating,” he said.
