Violation of Rights: Minor Girl Unlawfully Arrested under Anti-Terror Act, Rights Body Demands Action in Arunachal Pradesh

ARUNACHAL PRADESH: A rights body has demanded accountability for the illegal arrest of a minor girl under an anti-terror Act in Arunachal Pradesh. The Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) of Papum Pare district, in an order on May 25, reprimanded the police and Home Department officials for unlawfully detaining the 15-year-old girl for 16 days from May 10. The law requires her to be produced before the board within 24 hours. The girl was one of 41 individuals arrested during a 72-hour shutdown from May 10-12, held in protest of an alleged question paper leak scandal involving the Arunachal Pradesh State Public Service Commission. The Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) pointed out that the authorities belatedly discovered the girl's status as a minor and subsequently transferred her from Jully District Jail in Itanagar, the state capital, to a juvenile home in Pasighat located 260 km away. The HRLN expressed dismay over the misuse of the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (APUAPA), resulting in the arbitrary arrest of innocent individuals, including a minor. They called for those responsible to be held accountable and stressed the need to acknowledge that the APUAPA curtails fundamental rights. The HRLN also expressed hope that this incident would lead to a comprehensive review of protocols and training methods to prevent similar lapses in the future. They emphasized that restoring public trust and confidence in the authorities can only be achieved through transparency, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law, as stated in a joint statement signed by advocates Ebo Mili and Tado Siga for the HRLN.