Julius Dorphang
Julius K Dorphang (centre). File photo

Last Updated on November 12, 2021 12: 08am

Former chairman of banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) Julias Kitbok Dorphang has been picked up on Friday, and was shifted to Nongpoh jail, official sources said.

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It was confirmed that Julias Kitbok Dorphang was picked up from an undisclosed location on Friday after he was convicted in a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in Ri Bhoi district.

Dorphang was granted bail on medical grounds on November 26 last year by the Meghalaya High Court.

Sources said Court of the Special Judge (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences-POCSO), Nongpoh convicted the ex-insurgent leader in a case registered against him on January 5, 2017 for raping a minor girl.

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Also read: Meghalaya: Surrendered HNLC leader Chesterfield Thangkhiew dies in ‘retaliatory’ police firing

The former chairman of HNLC was facing trial in two courts, one before the Special Judge (POCSO) at Nongpoh and another before the Special Judge (POCSO) at Jowai.

On December 23, 2016, the chairperson, State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Meghalaya had registered a complaint to the Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills District at Shillong, alleging that Julias K. Dorphang had illicit sexual intercourse with a minor girl which is a violation of the child’s right to life and dignity.

The complaint was received as an FIR and Laitumkhrah P.S. Case No 239 (12) of 2016 under Section 366 (A) IPC read with Section 3(a)/4/5 of the POCSO Act and Section 5 of the ITP Act was registered.

Again, on January 5, 2017, another FIR was filed by the chairperson, State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Meghalaya, alleging that the petitioner herein had committed a similar offence against the same minor victim somewhere within the jurisdiction of Nongpoh in Ri Bhoi district.

Another criminal case was registered at Umiam Police Station – Case No 1(01) 2017 under Section 376 (2) (i) (n) IPC read with Section 4/6/17 POCSO Act, and Section 5 (I) Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.

On registration of both the cases, Julias K. Dorphang had gone underground, and was arrested on January 7, 2017 from Hatigaon in Guwahati.