Child abuse cases in Sirmaur spark public outrage

Two deeply disturbing incidents of child abuse in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district have sparked public outrage and raised serious concerns about the safety of children, particularly within migrant communities.

In the first case, a seven-year-old girl from a migrant family was brutally assaulted in Paonta Sahib. Police reports indicate the accused, an 18-year-old youth who operates a swing ride at a local fair, allegedly lured the child to the banks of the Yamuna River, where he committed the horrific crime. The accused, reportedly a cousin of the victim, was initially beaten by family members but managed to flee the scene. He was later arrested by police in the neighbouring state of Haryana.

The Paonta Sahib police have filed a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The child has undergone a medical examination and authorities have confirmed her condition is stable.

Just days earlier, another alarming case emerged in the jurisdiction of the Kala Amb police station. On March 30, a six-year-old girl from a migrant background was reportedly assaulted and left with critical injuries. She was transferred to PGI Chandigarh, where she remains under intensive medical care. The accused in this case was arrested within 15 minutes of the complaint being received by Station House Officer Kulwant Singh Kanwar.

These incidents have brought to light the heightened vulnerabilities faced by migrant families living in temporary settlements. Experts and activists have pointed to significant gaps in child protection mechanisms, particularly for transient and economically disadvantaged communities.

A study published in the Journal of Forensic Science reveals disturbing figures: nearly 7.3 crore boys and 15 crore girls under the age of 18 in India have experienced some form of sexual violence. The recent cases in Sirmaur serve as a grim reminder of this national crisis.

Sirmaur district police have assured the public that justice would be served and that both cases are being handled with the utmost urgency. “We are deploying all available resources to ensure justice. Both accused have been arrested and investigations are ongoing,” said Additional Superintendent of Police, Yogesh Rolta.

Social workers and child rights advocates are calling for stronger community engagement and awareness to protect children, particularly in vulnerable groups. “These cases should serve as a wake-up call. We need more than just legal action — we need a cultural shift in how we safeguard our children,” said Sachin Oberoi and Rakesh Sharma, both officials from a local NGO.

The incidents have underscored the urgent need for comprehensive action to address child protection, particularly for migrant and transient communities, and prevent further abuse.

Himachal Tribune