Itanagar, Oct 6: The Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society (APWWS) has raised concerns over the investigation into the alleged ‘Seppa’ sex racket involving minor school-going girls, citing ‘inconsistencies’ in the process. The APWWS, in a representation to the police department, demanded a comprehensive reinvestigation led by a woman police officer and supervised by a senior official to ensure justice and protect vulnerable members of society.
The women’s body stressed the importance of proper arrests following a meticulous inquiry, expressing its worry about discrepancies in the initial investigation. A delegation from APWWS, led by its president Kani Nada Maling, met with DGP Anand Mohan at the Police Headquarters to present their concerns.
The APWWS also called for the protection of minor victims and witnesses involved in the case, given its sensitive nature. The organization expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation conducted by a male police officer under probation, contrary to the mandate of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012, which requires a woman police officer not below the rank of SI to handle such cases.
The women’s body urged the Police Department to provide training and sensitization sessions on the POCSO Act to educate officers about proper investigation procedures and the importance of promptly filing charge sheets under the Act. They also suggested the establishment of a specialized team of officers dedicated to handling POCSO cases in the state and the creation of separate sections in all districts to expedite investigations.
Additionally, the APWWS called for all women police stations to be adequately staffed and led by women police officers, emphasizing that they should be fully operational and equipped to address cases affecting women and children in the state.
In their representation, the APWWS appealed for the swift intervention of authorities to uphold justice and protect the vulnerable in society, emphasizing the need to restore faith in the law enforcement system.
