GUWAHATI: A wave of anger and disbelief swept through Brahmajan ME School in Tinsukia district after headmaster Tanka Newar, a highly regarded educator with more than 25 years of service, was arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The arrest, carried out on Thursday, led to hundreds of students in uniform marching to Digboi police station on Saturday, demanding his immediate release.
Witnesses said the protesting students, many of them minors, chanted slogans and held placards, insisting on Newar’s innocence. Several students addressed the media on the school premises, speaking on condition of anonymity. “He has always treated us like his own children. These allegations are impossible to believe,” said one student.
Teachers and staff members backed the students’ stand, describing Newar as a “kind, disciplined, and selfless mentor” who had transformed the school’s discipline and academic standards.
A school cook, speaking anonymously, recalled seeing the alleged victim in the headmaster’s office on the morning of the incident, complaining of stomach pain. The cook added that Newar was known for personally taking sick students to nearby pharmacies for treatment a gesture for which he was widely respected in the community.
Newar’s track record has been decorated with awards for academic leadership, and the school management committee credited him with dramatically improving results and discipline. In an emergency meeting after the arrest, the management assured parents that safety remained their top priority and promised full cooperation with the investigation. They also expressed confidence in Newar’s eventual acquittal.
Police officials confirmed that Newar is being held in custody under the POCSO Act. “The matter is under investigation. We request the public to avoid speculation and allow the legal process to take its course,” a senior officer stated. Newar was produced before a court on Saturday afternoon.
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, enacted in 2012, is a special law in India designed to protect children below 18 years from sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and pornography. It provides for stringent punishments, child-friendly reporting mechanisms, and speedy trials through special courts. The Act places a legal obligation on individuals and institutions to report suspected offences and ensures that the identity of the child victim is protected at all stages of the case.