By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: A fresh case has been lodged against the owner of the New Life Home, Reverend SK Miller, by social activist Angela Rangad alleging him of aggravated sexual offences against minors including trafficking of children for exploitation by means of false promises and misrepresentation.
Reverend Miller was recently arrested on various charges including rape, molestation, exploitation and sexual abuse against minors.
The FIR filed by social activist Angela Rangad here on Sunday, alleged that the 65-year-old priest was involved in luring a 15-year-old girl from Umpho village to stay at New Life Home in the name of education for the past seven years, but she was made to do heavy work besides facing verbal, mental and physical abuse.
According to the FIR, the minor was made to wash clothes for which the pastor charged money from the hostellers, making food and tiffin for the hostellers, besides other tasks.
“The pastor would abuse her regularly and especially on two occasions when she was ill he molested her,” the FIR added.
The abuses and sexual offences continued till February 2012 when the victim met her father and convinced him to take her away, the FIR added.
Stating that these acts committed by Rev Miller constitute very serious cognizable and non-bailable offences, Rangad has demand severe punishments as prescribed under the IPC, Juvenile Justice Act 2000, Child labour legislations and the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences Act 2012.
Recently, several NGOs of the State including the Lympung ki Seng Kynthei, the Civil Society Women’s Organisation, the Khasi Students’ Union, Domestic Workers’ Union, besides others had sent a letter to Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma demanding stern action against the accused.
Meanwhile, the medical reports have confirmed that Reverend Miller, who was admitted at NEIGRIHMS following complaints of cardiac problems after his arrest, was not suffering at all. Rev Miller was admitted at the Shillong Civil Hospital the day he was arrested, and was later shifted to NEIGRIHMS following complaints.
Official source from NEIGRIHMS informed that more tests will be conducted in a day or two to confirm whether Rev Miller was really suffering from any cardiac problem.
