Pasighat: East Siang Police’s ongoing child-safety awareness campaign under Project Muskaan has helped uncover an alleged sexual abuse case after a school student used information from an awareness session to seek help for his cousin through Child Helpline 1098.
According to East Siang Superintendent of Police Pankaj Lamba, the child was allegedly lured by a 54-year-old neighbour on the pretext of offering sweets before the alleged offence took place.
After learning about the incident, the victim’s cousin, who is also a school student, contacted Child Helpline 1098. He had learned about the helpline during a Project Muskaan awareness programme conducted by police at his school.
Following information received from Childline through the Women and Child Development Department, a team from the Women Police Station led by Lady Inspector Amum Panyang acted promptly and apprehended the accused within an hour.
A case was registered at the Women Police Station following a complaint from the victim’s parents. Women Police Station Case No. 24/2026, dated September 9, 2026, was registered under Sections 4 and 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. The accused was arrested and is currently in judicial custody.
SP Lamba said the incident highlights how regular child-safety awareness programmes can help children recognise unsafe situations, speak up and seek timely assistance. He said the victim’s cousin was able to report the alleged abuse because of the knowledge and confidence gained during the school awareness session.
East Siang Police said the case is one of several outcomes linked to Project Muskaan’s school outreach programme. Since the initiative began its school-based activities in November last year, police have registered three other POCSO cases following interactions with students and subsequent follow-up involving children identified as being in distress.
Police said the cases demonstrate the importance of sustained engagement with children and creating an environment where they feel safe to communicate, identify potentially dangerous situations and access support.
According to East Siang Police, Project Muskaan is designed not only as an awareness initiative but also as a broader child-protection mechanism involving awareness, trust-building, early identification of distress and timely intervention.
The police said school outreach activities will continue, with sessions focusing on child safety, identifying safe and unsafe situations, speaking up against abuse and understanding available support mechanisms. These include Child Helpline 1098, emergency number 112, the POCSO e-Box and the Police Control Room at 7085491255.
East Siang Police also urged parents, teachers and community members to remain alert, listen to children without judgment and seek appropriate assistance whenever they notice signs of distress.
In accordance with the POCSO Act and to protect the child’s privacy, police have withheld her identity and all other identifying details, SP Lamba said.