Sikkim’s Silent Crisis: Confronting the Surge in POSCO Cases
-Komal Chamling
In recent days, Sikkim has been shaken by reports of horrific sexual assaults against children. In Geyzing District, a 13-year-old girl was coerced, by a woman nonetheless, into repeated sexual acts with her husband and multiple men for money between 2024 and 2025. In Rangpo, a 36-year-old man was arrested for assaulting his 15-year-old daughter since she was 13. In Dentam, a 60-year-old man was arrested for assaulting a minor who was found to be pregnant while visiting a Primary Health Centre complaining of a stomach ache. These cases, reported under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), signal a disturbing trend. Such frequent POCSO cases suggests a deeper societal illness demanding urgent attention.
Unfortunately, Sikkim seems increasingly desensitized to such tragedies. News of sexual assaults, suicides, or dead bodies found along riverbanks no longer sparks collective outrage. This public apathy is as troubling as the crimes themselves. What has numbed Sikkimese society to these horrors? Why does our Sikkimese society fail to respond with the urgency these violations deserve? What has Sikkim lost the ability to feel rage?
Our state has made strides in economic and educational progress, particularly for women. More and more women are entering the workforce. Yet, rising cases of POSCO and violence against women reveal that economic gains alone are not enough. True progress lies in how we safeguard the most marginalized—women and children. Despite rapid development, our social values and gender norms have not evolved at the same pace. How can we take pride in Sikkim’s growth when we fail to protect our girl children?
This is a collective failure we must acknowledge. Women, in particular, play a vital role in fostering resilience in young girls. This begins by taking care of our own bodies and learning to set clear boundaries. This begins by breaking the silence around abuse, openly addressing it rather than hiding it as we tend to do. We must challenge outdated and patriarchal gender roles within our homes, teaching girls their self worth and right to safety. Men, equally, bear responsibility for raising confident young women who can protect themselves, fostering a culture of respect and equality. There is also a dire need for education in schools teaching students about sexual health, safety and consent.
The 2024 case of Gisele Pelicot in France, where a woman bravely faced her abusers – her husband being one among them – in court, inspired global reflection on sexual violence. She faced the trail for her rape case bravely and in doing so, she put a spotlight on a harrowing case which has raised questions on women’s safety and rights. Sikkim’s recent cases, like the Geyzing assault case, are no less painful and shocking. Many child victims endure years of silence, unable to speak out. Who will speak up for these children? What role do we play in allowing such violence to persist? What role does our silence play in perpetuating this silent epidemic? This question transcends politics and requires a unified response. I appeal that in this regard, we must move beyond politics and come together beyond our individual political platforms to address this issue that affects us all. We must no longer ignore this silent epidemic.
