ITANAGAR, 11 Sep: The Itanagar Capital Region Child Welfare Committee (CWC) on Friday said a minor girl who was allegedly sexually abused is safe and under its protection, while cautioning people against circulating videos depicting abuse or assault of children on social media.
Addressing a press conference here, CWC Chairperson Taba Zim said the committee first received information about the alleged sexual abuse through an anonymous caller on child helpline number 1098 on 2 September.
The caller also alerted the committee about the circulation of a video purportedly linked to the incident, she said.
Zim said the CWC's immediate priority after receiving the information was to secure the child, following which an FIR was lodged at the women police station in Itanagar.
The accused, identified as Biri Tara, was subsequently arrested in connection with the case, she said.
Referring to separate videos circulating on social media purportedly showing the assault of a minor boy and girl, Zim said the clips came to the committee's notice on 8 September.
An additional FIR was lodged on 9 September against the same accused in connection with the alleged assault, she added.
"The child is in the safe custody of the CWC and is protected," Zim said, speaking about the condition of the girl who was allegedly sexually abused.
Meanwhile, CWC member Duyu Apo urged people not to circulate or share videos depicting the abuse or assault of children, saying such acts could further compromise the privacy and dignity of the minors involved.
He cautioned that circulating such content involving children could attract serious legal consequences under provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act and other applicable laws.
The committee appealed to social media users to act responsibly and refrain from forwarding or reposting the videos
