ITANAGAR, Sep 26: In a landmark verdict that has the potential to significantly impact the mindset of the state and its citizens, the Special POCSO Court in Yupia has convicted three individuals in a prominent case involving the sexual abuse of 21 children at a government residential school in the Shi-Yomi district.
On Tuesday last, the court found Yumken Bagra, Marbom Ngomdir, and Singtung Yorpen guilty of grave offenses under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Yumken Bagra was convicted under Sections 328 and 506 of the IPC, along with Sections 6, 10, and 12 of the POCSO Act, receiving the death penalty due to the severity of his crimes. Marbom Ngomdir, a Hindi teacher at the school, was found guilty under Section 506 of the IPC and Sections 17 and 21(1) of the POCSO Act. Singtung Yorpen, the former headmaster of Karo Government Residential School, was convicted under Sections 17 and 21(2) of the POCSO Act. Both Ngomdir and Yorpen were sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for their roles in the offenses.
The investigation into this critical case gained momentum under the leadership of Irak Bagra, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Shi-Yomi, along with his committed team, and Shri Abhimanyu Poswal, SP of West Siang, and his staff, before it was handed over to the Crime Branch Police Station’s Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Rohit Rajbir Singh (IPS), the then SP of the SIT and current SP of the Capital Region, welcomed the historic judgment, emphasizing the collaborative effort and unwavering dedication of all involved in seeking justice for the victims.
Reflecting on the case, he said, “As I look back, I am profoundly reminded of the immense collaboration and determination displayed by everyone. Working as the Superintendent of Police for the SIT when this case was registered, I witnessed the relentless dedication of the investigation team, who worked day and night to gather evidence and assemble the details crucial to the case. Their determination formed the backbone of this successful prosecution, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the investigation team for their exemplary work. The efforts of each member were instrumental in collecting critical evidence, which laid a solid foundation for the prosecution’s success.”
