ITANAGAR, 10 Sep: The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR) has taken suo moto cognisance of the additional videos circulating on social media showing Biri Tara allegedly assaulting and abusing a minor girl and a minor boy.

The commission had earlier taken cognisance of a video involving the alleged abuse of a minor by the same person.

Stating that the emergence of the additional videos raises serious concerns that there may be other child victims, the APSCPCR requested the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) SP to conduct an in-depth and comprehensive investigation, identify and book all persons found involved, and immediately rescue and protect the minor girl and boy appearing in the subsequent videos.

APSCPCR Chairperson Ratan Anya in a release said, "This case has shaken our conscience deeply. I appreciate the prompt action of the SP, ICR and his police team in arresting Biri Tara. But the emergence of further videos requires a much deeper investigation. The two children must be immediately rescued and protected, and every person found involved must be brought before the law."

The commission further urged that the investigation be completed within the stipulated period, so that the trial can commence without delay and, upon conviction, the accused receives stringent punishment in accordance with the law.

The commission also appealed to the courts to deal firmly with offences against children and impose appropriate deterrent punishment, wherever warranted, so that it sends a strong message.

It further appealed to the public not to circulate, forward or reproduce the videos or photographs of the children, as this further violates their privacy, dignity and right to protection.

"The police have already issued a public notice in this regard. The commission is deeply concerned about children being employed as domestic helpers in private households, as well as instances where children from poor and vulnerable families are brought to Arunachal Pradesh purportedly in the name of education or providing a better life, but may ultimately be exposed to labour, exploitation or abuse. The commission appeals to society to seriously reflect: How can we employ minor children to carry the burden of our households when they should be carrying school books, learning, playing and growing in a safe environment? Poverty and vulnerability should never become a reason for a child to be deprived of education, dignity, protection and childhood. Employing children as domestic helpers or in any other form of prohibited child labour is a violation of their rights and may attract legal consequences under applicable child labour laws. We cannot normalise keeping children as domestic help or labour," the APSCPCR said.

The commission also appealed to government employees and public servants to lead by example and refrain from employing children as domestic helpers or otherwise engaging them in prohibited child labour.

It urged the authorities concerned to take appropriate action, in accordance with the law, wherever any person is found employing children in violation of child labour laws.

"Children may be voiceless, but society must be their voice. If anyone witnesses or suspects child abuse, sexual abuse, trafficking, child labour, or any other form of exploitation, they must not remain silent. Such cases should immediately be reported to the APSCPCR, police, Child Welfare Committee (CWC), District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), child helpline 1098, or other child protection authorities for rescue and protection of the child. Reporting abuse is not interfering in someone else's matter - it is our duty as responsible citizens," the commission added.

The commission also urged the state government to examine and strengthen the existing mechanisms for monitoring children entering Arunachal from neighbouring states, particularly in view of the state's protected-area and inner line permit (ILP) system.

"The commission believes that if ILP-related checking and verification are properly and effectively carried out, with appropriate child-protection safeguards, it can help minimise child trafficking, child labour and other forms of child-rights violations in the state to a considerable extent," it added.