AIZAWL:
The Aizawl Police will launch a special investigation into the death of a two-year-old girl, who was suspected to have been sexually molested before she died.
“A case has been registered under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and as per instruction from Child Welfare Committee, a special investigation report will be conducted from Monday (September 26),” a police official, who did not want to be named, said while adding, “So far, no one has been arrested.”
The child, two years and five months old, died at a hospital on September 16. While at the hospital, doctors found that the child had been sexually abused and immediately informed the police.
“Even though the child was an apparent victim of sexual abuse, this however was not found to be cause of her death,” a source, on condition of anonymity said.
Meanwhile, local council and NGOs of the neighbourhood in Aizawl where the child lived, issued a joint statement on September 25, expressing shock over the incident that took place in the neighbourhood.
“We were extremely shocked by the incident that took place in our own neighbourhood. We condemn in the strongest term the person or persons that committed the heinous crime. We have trust in the police that they will find the perpetrator(s) and give them appropriate punishment,” said the joint statement, signed by chairman of local council and presidents of local units of three major NGOs – Young Mizo Association, Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (Mizo women’s association) and Mizoram Upa Pawl (senior citizens’ association).