Shillong: The investigation into the death of a 4-year-old child in Nongrah, Nonglumrei, has become more complex as the primary suspect is a 13-year-old boy, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem, said on Monday.
The case is being handled under the protocols of the Child Welfare Committee, and all questioning is being conducted in the presence of trained counsellors.
Because the suspect is a minor, the procedure is different and more sensitive, Syiem said.
Police are examining whether the child’s death was accidental or if there was any underlying harmful intent.
We do not want to conclude the case as mere drowning without verifying all angles, including the possibility of any attempted abuse, he said, while adding that there are currently no clear signs pointing to sexual assault.
The 13-year-old boy has been placed in a designated child care facility, and the investigation is progressing slowly due to restrictions on how minors can be questioned.
We cannot interrogate him the way we do adult offenders. This makes the process more delicate and time-consuming, the SP noted.
The case remains under active investigation.
