Press release issued by the East Siang Police during a press briefing by SP East Siang,Pankaj Lamba, IPS

  PASIGHAT, 31 st Oct’2025 : On 29/10/2025, a complaint was received at Mebo Police Station from a parent of a student of...

 

PASIGHAT, 31^st Oct’2025: On 29/10/2025, a complaint was received at Mebo Police Station from a parent of a student of Sanggo English Medium School, Mebo, regarding alleged molestation and sexual assault committed by the hostel warden of the said school. The FIR also mentioned similar acts committed against three other minor students of the hostel.

Considering the sensitivity and seriousness of the complaint, OC PS Mebo promptly detained the alleged accused and forwarded the matter to the Women Police Station (WPS), Pasighat, as the case involved minor victims.

Upon perusal of the FIR, OC WPS Pasighat registered a case vide Pasighat WPS Case No. 26/2025 U/S 4(2)/6 of the POCSO Act, 2012 at 1530 hrs. The accused Hen Johnson Vaiphei (32 years), S/o KhamaVaiphei,R/o Churachandpur District, Manipur, who was working as the hostel warden, was arrested and produced before the Hon’ble Special Judge (POCSO) and has been remanded to judicial custody.

During investigation, further complaint was received from other victims and their parents mentioningthe role of the school Principal and accountant in concealing the offences and failing to report them.

Accordingly, same was taken on record by IO and additional sections 21(2) of the POCSO Act, 2012 and 61(2)(a)/3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 have been added to the case.

On 30/10/25, two additional arrests have been made in the case:

            1. Th. HoinuVaiphei (56 years), D/o Lt. Lutkhopau, R/o Laltakham Road,

                        New Lamka G, Churachandpur District, Manipur, Principal of the school.

            2. NiangdoitingVaiphei, D/o Lutkhogin, R/o HMUIA Veng, New Lamka

                        VTC, Churachandpur Sub-Division, District Churachandpur, Manipur,

Accountant of the school.

Constitution of SIT: A Special Investigation Team(SIT) has been constituted at district level to ensure the case is investigated with all impartiality & fairness. The SIT is headed by SDPO Pasighat Dr. AkankshaMilindTamgadge, IPS and comprise of OC WPS, OC Mebo and IO of the case.

 

Constitution of Special Medical Board: On request made by Office of SP East Siang, a special medical board has been constituted by the Joint Director, BakinPertin General Hospital (BPGH), Pasighat, to examine and provide medical care to the victims. So far, 22 victims have been medically examined at BPGH Pasighat.

 

Visit to PO and seizure: The PO has been visited by the team and supervisory officers. Relevant school records and admission registers have also been preserved for verification and relevant material including mobile phones have been seized for forensic analysis.

School closure orders by ADC Mebo: The Addl. Deputy Commissioner, Mebo, issued an order vide No. MO/JUDL/03/2025 dated 30th October 2025, directing that Sanggo Residential School, Mebo be closed with immediate effect until further orders. All staff of the school have also been directed to remain within Mebo Sub-Division and not leave without written permission from the Investigating Officer.

Further investigation underway: Recording of statements of the victims and their parents is under process. Statements are being recorded in a child-friendly and sensitive manner, as per the provisions of the POCSO Act, 2012.

 

Coordination with the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Child Welfare Committee (CWC), and One Stop Centre (OSC), Pasighat, is being initiated to ensure psychological support, welfare assistance, and rehabilitation of the victims.

 

Examination of other school staff, teachers, and management members is underway to ascertain further facts.

The investigation is being closely supervised by the Superintendent of Police, East Siang, to ensure transparency, sensitivity, and adherence to due legal process.

Police remain committed to ensuring that the privacy, dignity, and best interests of all children are upheld in accordance with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. All necessary legal, medical, and welfare measures are being taken to ensure justice and protection for the victims.This is as per press release issued by the East Siang Police during a press briefing by SP East Siang, Shri Pankaj Lamba, IPS along with SDPO Dr. Akanksha Milind Tamgadge, IPS and DySP Shri Ayup Boko today at SP Office in the presence of media persons.