Dimapur, October 26 (MExN): The proprietor of a restaurant in Dimapur in the line of fire for events that led to alleged abuse of three children, over a stolen dog, today issued a clarification spelling out its side of the story. Appended as L Sema, the statement detailed events contrary to the allegations made. The local dailies on October 25 had reported that three boys, accused of stealing a dog, were meted out physical torture by the attendants of a well-known lounge and by the police.
“The case seems partial since only the children’s side of the story was heard and reported. I, being a mother myself do not have the heart or the motive to torture children in any circumstances whatsoever,” L Sema said. Also, being an animal lover, she said, she owns two dogs one of which was stolen.
“The children are regular visitors to my restaurant and my residence to collect garbage. I provide them tips in cash and kind on a regular basis and trust that they would do their work properly,” Sema said.
She explained to have come to know about her dog being stolen only in the later part of Friday.
“Since the boys came regularly to my residence, I queried them generally as one of the neighbouring helpers saw the dog being petted by one of the boys. That roused my suspicion since the children always came to pick the garbage after 6 pm, but on that particular evening, they came around 4 pm,” Sema said.
The proprietor refuted the reports that the children were made to admit of the robbery. “They were just questioned until they tried to run away which made some of the public beat them”, it added. Later the children were handed over to East Police Station where they confessed to have kept the dog in their house. “The children then took them to their neighbourhood which was located at Assam-Nagaland border. However, on reaching the location, the children again changed their earlier statement and in turn took the police for a ride,” L Sema said.
