Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh Women Welfare Society (APWWS) has drawn the attention of the Director General of Police (DGP) to critical issues concerning the ‘Seppa Sex Racket case‘ and the overall safety of women and minor school-going girls within the state.
In a formal representation submitted to the (DGP) on Friday, the APWWS expressed significant reservations regarding the management of the Seppa Sex Racket case, which came to light with the filing of an FIR on August 29 last.
The society voiced concerns about inconsistencies in the investigative process, with a key point of contention being the alleged involvement of a male police officer under probation in a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 (POCSO).
According to the Act, investigations in such cases should be led by a female police officer not below the rank of sub-inspector.
The APWWS also raised alarm about the release of suspects during the Seppa Sex Racket case investigation due to discrepancies in the initial probe.
“This has led to doubts about the state government’s commitment to delivering justice in cases involving serious crimes against women and children,” the APWWS said in its letter.
Additionally, the society expressed concerns about a severe shortage of police officers, particularly the absence of women police officers, in the women police station of Seppa, located in the East Kameng district.
“This shortage underscores the immediate need for the home department to proactively deploy well-trained women police officers to effectively address such grave cases,” it said.
In response to these pressing concerns, the APWWS has called upon the DIG to initiate a comprehensive reinvestigation into the Seppa Sex Racket case, led by a female police officer and supervised by a senior officer.
Recognizing the sensitivity of the case, the APWWS has also urged the police department to provide necessary safety and protection for the minor victims and witnesses involved in the case.
In addition to these specific demands related to the Seppa case, the APWWS has called for training programmes aimed at educating the entire police department on proper investigation procedures and the significance of promptly filing charge sheets under the POCSO Act.
Furthermore, the APWWS has recommended the establishment of a specialized team of officers dedicated to handling POCSO cases in the state. The society has also suggested the creation of separate sections in all districts, supervised by the police headquarters, to expedite investigations in such cases.
Emphasizing the importance of adequately staffing and leading all women police stations with women police officers, the APWWS underscored that these stations must not be symbolic but fully operational and equipped to handle the increasing cases affecting women and children in the state.
Also read: APWWS, APSCW discuss measures to protect women from trafficking, exploitation
