Restore public confidence in justice system, demands NSCW
Dimapur, April 8 (MExN): Outrage and grief poured in from across Nagaland following alleged rape and brutal murder of a 35-year-old woman vendor from Mhaikam village.
The body of the woman was discovered near Pimla village under Chümoukedima district on April 7.
Accordingly, civil society groups, students’ unions, and state authorities alike demanded immediate and uncompromising justice for the victim. They also extended their support and condolences to the family.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton assured the family that have the full support of the state, and every step will be taken to ensure that justice is delivered. He aslo urged the public come forward to support the investigation.
The Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) termed the incident a severe violation of human rights and dignity.
Underscoring that such incidents reflect the ongoing threats that women face in society, the Commission urged the authorities to act quickly to restore public confidence in the justice system and send a clear message that such crimes will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
It also appealed to the government to establish stronger measures to prevent violence against women as well as reinforcing existing policies and frameworks to ensure women's safety, particularly those who earn their livelihood in public spaces.
AASU: The Aqahuto Area Students' Union (AASU) said that it was in state of deep shock and condemned the incident in the strongest possible terms.
It also urged the concerned law enforcing authorities for a thorough investigation and called upon all the right-thinking citizens to stand in solidarity with the victim's family until justice is served.
AWO: The vulnerability of an innocent young mother, striving to earn a livelihood for her family, makes this crime particularly reprehensible, the Angami Women Organisation (AWO) stated, further describing it as only a violation of dignity and life but also an attack on the safety and security of women at large.
This tragedy not only robs a young child of his mother but also threatens the social fabric of our society, creating fear and insecurity amongst our women and all peace-loving individuals, it added, demanding a swift, thorough and impartial investigation by the concerned authorities to bring the perpetrator (s) to justice.
CAKSU: The Chakhro Angami Kuda Students’ Union (CAKSU) also condemned the “inhuman and barbaric” incident and appealed to all community members to remain united in denouncing such acts and uphold the dignity and safety of every individual. It also called for swift investigation into the incident.
CPO: The The Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO) declared that such ‘barbaric and inhumane’ act is utterly unacceptable and goes against the values of humanity and justice. It also urged authorities to take immediate and stringent action to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure that such atrocities are not repeated and called upon all the communities to collectively condemn the heinous crime.
DAYO: The Dimapur Ao Youth Organization (DAYO) stated that such a brutal crime can never be justified, regardless of who it may be. Urging the law enforcing agencies to continue thorough investigation, it also called upon all citizens to assist in any way possible to solve the case without any bias or favour.
DCC Dimapur: The ‘barbaric act’ has sent shockwaves across Nagaland and exposes the persistent threats to women’s safety and dignity in the society as well as glaring failure of governance to protect vulnerable citizens, asserted the District Congress Committee (DCC), Dimapur.
Accordingly, it demanded swift and transparent investigation; support for the bereaved family; enhanced security measures including increased police patrolling, community vigilance and improved emergency response systems; and public accountability by reviewing law enforcement mechanisms to address systemic failures and prevent recurrence of such atrocities. It also urged all stakeholders to unite in eradicating gender-based violence pointing out that silence and indifference engender culture of impunity that emboldens criminals.
DNYO: This reprehensible act of violence is not only a tragedy for the victim’s family but also a grave affront to the values and peace of the society, the Diphupar Naga Youth Organisation (DNYO) stated, while demanding justice. Such acts of violence is a remind for importance of unity and vigilance as a society, it added, urging all to stand together against such atrocities and work toward creating a safer and more compassionate environment. It also conveyed its continued commitment to supporting justice and upholding the safety and dignity of every individual.
NPF Minority Wing: The Naga Peoples Front (NPF) Minority Wing unequivocally condemned the ‘egregious act’ and demanded that the perpetrators be apprehended and punished in an exemplary manner.
NZPO: The Nagaland Zeliang People Organization (NZPO) said it was appalled by the ‘inhumane and atrocious act’ and termed it not only a crime against an individual but an attack on the dignity and safety of the people, especially women.
Urging the law enforcement agencies and the investigating authorities to take swift and punitive action, it also appealed to all community members to remain vigilant, cooperative with the investigation, and stand united against such violence.
PVC: Expressing shock and outrage, the Pimla Village Council (PVC) also demanded swift and decisive action by the authorities take bring the perpetrators to justice. The PVC is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all people, particularly women and children and will work with local authorities to strengthen community safety measures, it added.
WCH: The Western Chakhesang Hoho (WCH) denounced the ‘abominable act’ and said that it is only a grave crime against humanity but also a vile affront to the sacred values of Naga culture, which holds the dignity and sanctity of women in the highest regard.
The sheer inhumanity of this crime has shaken the conscience of every right-thinking citizen, it held, demanding that the perpetrators be brought to justice without delay. “Let this be the last such incident in our land.Silence in the face of such brutality is complicity, and we must collectively ensure that justice is served,” it added
WNYTF: Western Naga Youth Front (WNYF) also called the incident a ‘despicable’ act and urged the law enforcement authorities to immediately act with full seriousness and conduct an impartial and thorough investigation, and ensure that the perpetrators are punished. “Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done,” it added.
WSSU: The act of barbarity is not only a crime against an individual, but a crime against humanity and is a gross violation of human dignity and safety that shocks the collective conscience, the Western Sumi Students' Union (WSSU) stated. It also demanded that the law enforcement agencies act swiftly to ensure that the perpetrator(s) are brought to justice without delay.
WSYF: The Western Sumi Youth Front (WSYF) stated that it was not just a crime against an individual, but a crime against humanity and motherhood as well as the fundamental sense of safety, dignity and the values society upholds. Demanding arrest of the perpetrator(s), it also urged the authorities to put in place stronger protective mechanisms, particularly for women working in informal sectors, who are often the most at risk and the least protected.
ZSUD: The Zeliang Students’ Union Dimapur (ZSUD) stated that nature of the incident, suspected to be a case of rape followed by cold-blooded murder, is not only shocking but also reflects a grave threat to the safety and dignity of women in the society. Demanding justice without delay, the union said that acts have no place in a civilised society, and justice must not only be served but must also be seen to be served.
ZSUD will not remain a silent spectator and will closely monitor the progress of the investigation and would not hesitate to initiate democratic and lawful measures to ensure justice, it added.
