Content warning: The following article contains mention of child abuse

The news of one Ronika Miachieo’s inhuman treatment of three minors has stunned and appalled Nagaland. A resident of Namgalong, colony ward-5, Burma camp, Dimapur, the woman is described as a missionary and an environmentalist, involved knee-deep in the beautification of the district.

It has come to light that Ronika Miachieo frequented Longwa village, Mon district, for her supposed missionary works and that she had brought these children from the same village under the pretence of goodwill. The accused offered the parents the promise of education and a comfortable life for their children.

Ronika Miachieo inflicted almost every action that the Indian Law calls child abuse on these juveniles aged 8, 10 and 13 and she is absconding.

Nagaland Police in the meanwhile arrested one Amos Ezung who is her alleged accomplice in the crimes.

The accused reportedly had cameras set up at home and did not allow the children to speak to any visitors or even to their parents over the phone.

The parents after failing to get in touch with the children grew suspicious.

The children, when rescued, were found with serious injuries and scars throughout their bodies and one had to be admitted into the ICU.

Child Helpline told Nagaland Tribune that the victims remain under their care and are receiving counselling. It added that the fragile children will be released to the parents when the Children Welfare Committee (CWC) directs them to do so.

While there is faith that the fugitive, Ronika Miachieo, will soon be in handcuffs and be made answerable for every single wrong she meted out on the children and their parents according to the law, the solemn concern is for the children.

The juveniles will be reunited with their families and taken home to the Angh’s village. The injuries in the bodies may heal, the marks may fade but the emotional and mental injuries may not heal easily.