Representative image.
Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 12
A five-year-old girl, allegedly subjected to repeated torture and physical assault by her ‘foster parents’ in Kohima, was finally rescued on March 11.
‘Adopted’ by a childless married couple in November 2020, the minor was reportedly brought to Kohima with promises of taking care of her education and welfare, as per accounts of the Tikhir Women Union Kohima (TWUK).
However, after being brought to the State capital, the child was allegedly beaten up by her foster parents on many occasions. The ‘foster parents’ would also reportedly get into altercations with neighbors who tried to intervene.
This continued until March 11 when the child was allegedly tied up in a sack and kept over the fireplace and made to inhale smoke of burning chilly.
The neighbors finally informed the Eastern Students Union in Kohima who in turn informed the TWUK and initiated the ‘rescue’ of the child.
TWUK President Yongchem informed The Morung Express that on their arrival, the child had forgotten her native language and responded only when spoken to in Nagamese.
The child reportedly showed them the fireplace where she was said to have been kept tied in a sack. The Union said they found a sack and ropes and some half burnt polythene/plastic carry bag.
As per the TWUK, neighbors also informed them that the child had also been subject to ‘punishment’ by her foster mother by dripping the burning plastic bag on her hand.
Apart from scars from those burns, the child has bruises all over her body including the back, shoulders and ankles, TWUK President said.
While the ‘foster parents’ initially denied their involvement, they were handed over to the Kohima police on Thursday evening. The ‘foster father’ is reportedly part of the 11 NAP (IR).
The child is meanwhile being kept in another home and preparations are on to send her back to her parents in their native village, the Union said.
The Union was yet to register an official complaint with CHILDLINE Kohima. However, TWUK on Friday appealed the investigating authorities not to grant bail under any circumstances.
Officials at the Women Police Station Kohima informed that both the accused are currently in police remand and the case has been forwarded to the court.
