An eight-year-old girl was allegedly raped in one of the gewogs in Samtse.

She is a class two student.

The child was raped on June 10 according to a source.

According to the source, a woman found the girl when she asked for the woman’s phone to call her father, who is not in Samtse, about the incident.

It was learnt the girl stays with her guardian, who are teachers.

A source said the guardian, after learning about the incident, took her to the nearby basic health unit. She was then referred to a hospital that confirmed the rape medically.

As of evening yesterday, the suspect was at large. Police in the locality are investigating the case.

Meanwhile, the Office of Attorney General (OAG) issued a press release yesterday evening on the recent child molestation, rape of child and other sexual related cases.

It stated that OAG, as the central state prosecution agency, is concerned with recent cases.

“While OAG has continued to prosecute cases referred with utmost due diligence and sought criminal sanctions from the courts, it has now become a grave concern for the OAG and Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) with recent cases of the rape of a child as young as 12 and eight years.”

It stated that OAG, in collaboration with the RBP, decided to fast track investigation and prosecution and pursue the highest criminal sanctions against the perpetrators.

The press release also stated Bhutan has always been considered as safest, law-abiding and the citizens’ unconditional respect for the rule of law.

“As mandated by the laws, OAG and RBP will continue to prevent, combat and restrain those individuals so that our children and women feel safe and confident in our criminal justice system.”

By Staff Reporter

Edited by Tashi Dema