Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 30
Zeliangrong civil society organisations (CSO) have issued yet another ultimatum to the Nagaland state government with regard to the unsolved April 7 Pimla incident. A 35 year-old woman was found dead in a suspected case of rape and murder in the incident.
Almost 6 months later, justice remains at bay, while 5 individuals arrested by the police in the subsequent investigation have obtained bail.
In the latest ultimatum, the Zeliangrong Youth Organisation Nagaland (ZYON), together with other Zeliangrong CSOs, warned of an intensified agitation, beginning October 9, if the police fail to bring closure to the unsolved case.
Making the announcement at a press conference in Dimapur on September 30, ZYON President R John Zeliang accused the government of apathy, while ignoring the CSOs repeated appeals, and “peaceful, democratic agitations.” He warned of “an intensive, non-peaceful agitation” in Peren district if the government fails to meet their demand by October 9.
The last public demonstration was held in Dimapur on August 25 by the Zeliangrong CSOs in collaboration with the Western Naga Youth Front.
At the August 25 demonstration, the ZYON, Zeliangrong Students' Union Nagaland and Zeliangrong Mipui Organisation issued a 15-day deadline to the Commissioner of Police (CP), Dimapur, demanding the fast-tracking of the case’s forensic report and the declaration of the identities of the accused individuals. The organisations also demanded the establishment of a forensic laboratory in Nagaland by the state government.
John held that the Special Investigation Team has received the forensic report, but the report is being confidential.
“The people of Nagaland deserve justice, modern facilities and a responsive government,” he said, while highlighting the lack of forensic investigation tools in the state.
The Zeliangrong Mipui Organisation Nagaland said that their movement is for justice and for the safety of all women.
The Zeliang Youth Organisation Dimapur questioned whether the alleged government inaction in the case stems from the deceased victim’s lack of political connections.
The organisation said that they took up the movement so that such a crime does not recur, and not because it happened to a woman from one particular community.
