‘We must take serious action against the rapists,’ said the state’s Minister of Social Affairs.
Four incidents involving the rape of child have been reported in Chin State so far this year, according to the state’s Minister of Social Affairs Pau Lun Min Thang, who wants the government to take such cases seriously.
“I didn’t hear anything about child rape cases in Chin State in the past. [Now] there have been four child rape cases that have happened within five to six months,” he told Khonumthung News. “We are so worried about it. Why does it happen? In my opinion, we must take serious action against the rapists. At the same time, we advocate that religious groups and other social organizations give as much education as they can.”
As of September, two cases involving the rape of a minor had been reported in Hakha Township, one in Falam, and one in Matupi. The perpetrators were sentenced to 20 years in prison and the victims reportedly received 100,000 kyats from the Chin State government—less than US$65.
Pau Lun Min Thang said that some rape cases in Chin State had been addressed in a “customary way,” but advocated for such charges to be brought before a court.
“If a rape case is reported, the court must take action quickly,” the minister said. “It’s very important.”
He added that community-based organizations should work together with the justice system to raise awareness of these crimes, and thereby reduce them.
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