A special Pocso court in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday handed down a death sentence to death former hostel warden Yumken Bagra for sexually assaulting 21 minor students at a state-run residential school in Shi-Yomi district between 2019 and 2022.
A senior police official said that the special judge, Pocso cases, of west sessions court, Yupia also sentenced two others -- former headmaster Singtung Yorpen, and Hindi reached Marbom Ngomdir -- to 20 years rigorous imprisonment for their involvement in the case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act and Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Prime accused Bagra, 33, sexually assaulted 21 children, including 15 girls and six boys, aged between 6 and 15 years, between 2019 and 2022.
The police official said that Bagra was convicted under various sections of the IPC as well as the POCSO Act, and sentenced to death due to the severity of his crimes.
The ruling of the court not only addresses the immediate serious issue but also serves as a significant turning point for the broader social awareness in the protection of children, underlining the collective responsibility to safeguard the rights and welfare of minors.
According to the official, sexual abuse at the government-run residential school came to light after two students, both sisters, informed their parents about the crime in November 2022. On November 4, 2022, an FIR was lodged at Monigong police station in the Shi-Yomi district.
Then hostel warden Bagra, a native of Tadin village near Aalo in West Siang district, was on the run and police arrested him on December 13, 2022, in Itanagar.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) at the Crime Branch Police Station after investigating the case found that Bagra sexually assaulted 21 children during his tenure as hostel warden at the Karo Government Residential school.
An official statement said that the initial investigation of this pivotal case received momentum under the leadership of Irak Bagra, Superintendent of Police of Shi-Yomi district, along with his dedicated team, and Abhimanyu Poswal, SP of West Siang, and his staff, before it was entrusted to the SIT.
The Itanagar bench of the Gauhati High Court on July 21 took suo-motu action and cancelled a bail granted to Bagra by a lower court.
Tripura Govt contemplating to boost tourism: Minister Sushanta Chowdhury
The state transport and tourism minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Thursday said that the government is contemplating to make tourism as an alternate means of livelihood in the state. Adequate fund has been allocated for further developing the tourism sector, he added.
Imports from B’desh to Tripura increase, exports largely decline: Minister
Imports from Bangladesh into Tripura increased but exports from the northeastern state of India to the neighbouring country substantially declined, state Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma told the Assembly on Thursday.
67 percent households in AMC areas connected with drinking water supply: CM Dr Manik Saha
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Thursday claimed that at least 67% households were connected with drinking water supply in the areas of Agartala Municipal Corporation.
Boy drowns in Muhuri River during Baruni bathing ritual
In a tragic incident, Sayan Pal (18), a 12th-standard student from Arya Colony, Belonia, drowned in the Muhuri River while participating in the holy Baruni bathing ritual on Wednesday afternoon.
Innovative projects launched to supply drinking water from Dumbur: CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today said that several innovative projects have been set up based on the reserved water of the Dumbur water reservoir, making it possible to provide drinking water connections to many families through pipelines.
Govt undertaken measures to increase Howrah river’s navigability: Tripura CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today said that the state government has undertaken a series of measures to permanently address flooding in Agartala city by increasing the navigability of the Howrah River.
Tripura Assembly witnesses spat over minister's 'racist' remark against LoP
The Tripura Assembly witnessed a noisy scene for the fourth day on Thursday over Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath's alleged racist remarks against Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Jitendra Chaudhury.
Centre Releases Rs 240.5 Crore to Tripura for Urban Planning Reforms
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today announced that the Ministry of Finance has released Rs 240.5 crores to Tripura for achieving urban planning reforms.