Arunachal Police Arrest School Principal and Accountant in Minor Sexual Assault Case

Pasighat: In response to allegations of molestation and sexual assault against minors at Sanggo Residential School in Mebo, East Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh, police have escalated their crackdown.

On October 30, police detained the school's principal and accountant for their alleged complicity and failure to report the incidents.

The principal, Th Hoinu Vaiphei (56), along with the accountant, Niangdoiting Vaiphei, were taken into custody. Investigators suspect they were aware of the abuses and deliberately suppressed information about them.

Previously, on October 29, the hostel warden, Hen Johnson Vaiphei (32) from Manipur, was apprehended for directly perpetrating the assaults on minor students. He appeared before the Special Judge (POCSO) and was remanded to judicial custody.

During a press conference at the Superintendent of Police's office in Pasighat today, East Siang SP Pankaj Lamba revealed that the latest arrests stemmed from fresh complaints by victims and their families, accusing the principal and accountant of prior awareness without any action.

Lamba detailed that the initial report surfaced on October 29 at Mebo Police Station from a student's parent, concerning assaults by the warden at Sanggo English Medium School. The complaint also referenced similar violations against three additional minors in the hostel.

Recognising the case's severity, Mebo's Officer-in-Charge swiftly apprehended the warden and transferred the matter to Pasighat's Women Police Station (WPS), given the involvement of child victims. The WPS OC then filed Pasighat WPS Case No. 26/2025 at 3:30 PM under Sections 4(2) and 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

Following new testimonies, the Investigating Officer incorporated Sections 21(2) of the POCSO Act and 61(2)(a)/3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

To guarantee a fair and exhaustive probe, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed at the district level, led by SDPO Pasighat Akanksha Milind Tamgadge, IPS, and including the OCs of WPS and Mebo, plus the lead investigator.

At the SP's request, a dedicated medical board was established by the Joint Director of Bakin Pertin General Hospital (BPGH) in Pasighat to assess and treat the survivors. To date, 22 victims have undergone examinations there, Lamba confirmed.

The probe team, along with oversight officials, has inspected the crime scene, while key evidence—including school documents, enrollment logs, and items like mobile devices—has been collected for forensic scrutiny.

In a related development, Mebo's Additional Deputy Commissioner issued Order No. MO/JUDL/03/2025 on October 30, mandating the immediate closure of Sanggo Residential School until further notice. All faculty have been barred from exiting the Mebo Sub-Division without the Investigating Officer's explicit approval.

Lamba assured that victim and parent statements are being recorded compassionately and age-appropriately, in line with POCSO guidelines. Collaboration with the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Child Welfare Committee (CWC), and Pasighat's One Stop Centre (OSC) is underway to deliver counselling, support services, and recovery aid.

Interviews with remaining staff, educators, and administrators continue to uncover more details. The entire process is under the SP's direct monitoring to uphold accountability, empathy, and legal standards.

The East Siang Police reiterated their dedication to safeguarding children's confidentiality, respect, and welfare under the POCSO Act. "We are implementing every required legal, healthcare, and support protocol to secure justice and safety for those affected," Lamba affirmed.