WJH cops deny ‘electric shock to kids’ report

SHILLONG: The West Jaintia Hills police have denied the allegations that some children who were picked up for inquiry were given electric shock.
West Jaintia Hills SP R Muthu said the public brought a boy, who was roaming in Jowai town for the past few days, to police. The boy was reportedly abused by his relatives.
Police started into inquiry and found that the boy was involved in a theft case.
Later, he also revealed the name of some other children and all of them were brought to the police station. Their parents and officials of the child welfare committee and the Social Welfare Department were also called.
The children had allegedly stolen packets of potato wafers. The police said one of the boys and his mother started accusing the police of giving him electric shock. Some of the parents who were present already clarified that no such incident happened.
All the 10-11 children were later released with a warning that they should not be involved in crime in future. A section of the media reported that the boys were tortured.
“It’s not the fact. One boy was found by the public after information that he was assaulted by his parents. He was taken to the Jowai child welfare officer on Friday morning. During inquiry it was found that he, along with some other boys used to steal things. The child who was produced before police was handed over to Childline,” said Muthu.
The inquiry was done by a lady officer, social welfare officers and staff of Childline.