Kohima: A Special POCSO Court in Kohima has sentenced a 66-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a 14-year-old girl in Nagaland’s Tseminyu district in 2019.

The court convicted the accused under the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and awarded him 20 years of rigorous imprisonment.

In its order, the court also directed the Nagaland government to provide Rs 1 lakh as compensation to the survivor under the victim compensation scheme.

The court observed that the minor had suffered severe physical, mental and emotional trauma as a result of the assault, and stressed the need for rehabilitation and support for the survivor.

The case relates to an incident that took place in Tseminyu district in 2019. The judgment is being seen as a significant step in ensuring justice for survivors of sexual offences against children.