Deputy Commissioner, Zunheboto has promulgated CrPC 144 in entire Zunheboto town till further notice with effect from 11 June 12:00 AM onwards prohibiting assembly of five or more persons and vehicular movement of non-essential nature.
This comes after situation became tensed in Zunheboto town after a mob gathered outside Zunheboto Police Station and attacked the stationed personnel.
In an order, the DC said, “assembly of five or more persons is also prohibited in the area of the DC Office Complex and 100 meters in its vicinity at all times till further orders.”
However, officials and staff of district administration, security personnel, magistrate on duty, personnel and person engaged in essential services have been exempted from the restriction. All movement of commercial vehicles (goods/passengers) or vehicles carrying essential commodities, press and media, telecom services and medical emergencies will also be exempted from the above restrictions, the order added.
Police takes suspect accused into custody in sexual assault case
The Police yesterday took a suspected accused into custody after the person was identified through Test Identification Parade (TIP) with regard to a sexual assault complaint filed on 9 June 2023 on a minor in Zunheboto town.
The Superintendent of Police, Vishal, IPS in a press release informed that after receiving the case, it was immediately endorsed to the Women Police Station and investigation was initiated through a team led by Sub-divisional Police Office (SDPO) under section 376AB of the India Penal Code (IPC) read with 6 POCSO Act.
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As per the investigation, the incident took place on 8 June 2023 morning in the school premises.
“Since the victim was a minor, interaction with victim was commenced in the presence through her family members. After a medical examination, the school authorities and staff were asked to associate with the investigation and were summoned to the Women PS on 10 June,” the release stated.
The Police said that on 9 June 2023, the judicial magistrate was requested to associate with a Test Identification Parade (TIP) of some suspects by the victim and her parents. On 10 June 2023, the TIP was conducted in the presence of Judicial Magistrate, Child Welfare Committee member, Women leaders, parents along with victim.
Some of the suspects paraded included school teachers, working staff and students.
In the TIP, all school teachers, working staff and students were paraded before the victim to assess if the victim could identify the accused from among the suspects.
The TIP was completed by the evening of 10 June 2023, whereby based on the report of the committee, a request was made to Judicial magistrate for granting permission to take the identified suspect accused into custody.
The suspect accused identified is also minor and therefore taking due care, necessary procedures are being completed, the police added.
The TIP is a process laid down in section 9 of Indian Evidence Act (IEA) 1872 and section 54 A of Criminal Procedure Code 1973 that is used to identify the accused before the Judicial Magistrate.
The police further stated that investigation is going on in full swing to bring the case to early logical conclusion and deliver justice to the victim.
Organisations condemn act
In a shocking incident over rape of a minor by ‘unidentified person’ on 8 June 2023, the Zunheboto Range Students’ Union (ZRSU) while condemning the act said, “such kind of inhumane and heinous crime against a minor student is a blunt to the students Community and a disgrace to our society as a whole.”
The Union, therefore appealed district administration and investigating authority to take the matter with utmost priority and nab the culprit without delay and further give befitting punishment as per the law to avert the recurrence of such barbaric crime in our Society, stated a condemnation note from its president, Gihuka K Zhimo and general secretary Ito S Chophy.
The Union added that it will not remain a silent spectator till the culprit is booked and justice is delivered by all the Units of Criminal Justice system with efficacy. It further appealed the public to refrain from “taking the into in our hand in order to pave way for the smooth functioning of the investigation without delay.”
Meanwhile, Kiyekhu Baptist Church also condemned the act meted on “an innocent and helpless minor girl child who is just four 4 year old.”
“It is very shameful and disappointing to see the height of immorality committed in the land of Christianity, such an act is abominable and need to be condemn by every person of morality,” stated a press release from Viboto Awomi Pastor Kiyekhu Baptist Church.
“The Church in whole grief along with the victim family members, praying to God of all justice and comforts in full assurance that our God will work mightily in the hearts of His people to deliver justice to the victim family in due time,” it added further requesting “all believers and wilful supporters to refrain from all unwanted action, and wait for the verdict in all good faith.”
