Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, SEPTEMBER 1
On a rainy September day, almost about thousands of people in Kohima took today to the streets to register their angst at the rape of a 61-year-old woman from Kohima village by a Naga youth on August 22 last. The incident was first reported in Eastern Mirror.
The state capital came to a standstill for almost three-and-half hours, when the protestors marched from the government High School to the official residence of the Chief Minister to submit a memorandum. All through the march, braving Kohima’s notorious rain, the protesters were unequivocal in their message that “enough is enough” and that any such “crime against women will not be tolerated anymore.”
On attendance alone, Tuesday’s rally could be considered among the biggest processions held in recent times at Kohima. The rally, jointly organized by the Kohima Village Council (KVC) and Kohima Village Youth Organization (KVYO), was also attended by representatives from other frontal organizations of Angami community and Naga tribes, particularly women organizations.
The mammoth attendance itself speaks volume that the general public is united to condemn the act of crime and violence against women and that there will be ‘no tolerance’ for rapists.
Inspite of the heavy downpour in the state capital, the protestors marched till the CM’s residence and later assembled at Kohima local ground for a public meeting. Majority of the speakers who addressed the public meeting at the ground voiced for ‘zero tolerance’ on crime against women, especially rapists.
“There will be zero tolerance for rapists, be it underground, over ground, or any person belonging to any community,” KVC chairman Neivor Rutsa said adding “the nature of the August 22 rape incident was beyond human conduct and imagination.”
Though mentioning that the KVC was trying its best not to give the crime tribal or communal color, Rutsa advised the public to live peacefully and not to involve in any unwanted crimes. He cautioned that one’s patience is tested when crimes against its community is repeated again and again.
“Our patience is being tested enough times. If things go beyond, a section of the Naga society may find uncomfortable to live in Kohima,” he cautioned saying “the KVC has the will to continue to work towards the interest of the Nagas at large.”
Vipralhou Kesiezie in his address stated that our women and girls are not safe anymore to freely roam around in our Naga homeland. He went on to say that the people of Kohima village, the indigenous land owners of Kohima town, “have enough room for good and peace loving people, but have no room for rapists and people indulging in anti social activities.”
Condemning the act as shameless and barbaric, he pressed the State government for timely justice and to award the highest degree of punishment to the rapist. “We will continue to press the government and will never rest until justice is delivered,” he added.
President of Kewhimiapfü Mechü Krotho (KMK) Khrienguü Kesiezie, while condemning the August 22 act, said that nothing more heinous than this could happen to a woman.
She appealed the state government to expedite the investigation process so as to deliver early justice, while hoping that such dreadful acts do not take place in our Naga society in the future.
Dr Vilhousa Seleyi, president of Angami Public Organisation, on behalf of the Angami community extended solidarity to the victim and her family and the Kohima Village Council.
“Kohima village, though the indigenous land owners of the capital, you have been thoughtful enough to confront this issue in the most democratic way,” he said while urging the Naga people to stand united against anti-social elements, in order to make Nagaland a better place to live in.
Speaking on behalf of the victim’s family, Neibu Sekkhose thanked all individuals and organizations who were part of the protest rally and extended support in one or the other way. The protest march was also joined by Minister for Forests, Dr Neikiesalie (Nicky) Kire and Parliamentary Secretary for Youth Resources and Sports, Music Task Force and State Lotteries, Khriehu Liezietsu.
Rengma Hoho
Addressing the public rally jointly organized by the Kohima Village Council and Kohima Village Youth Organisation today at Kohima Local Ground, the president of Rengma Hoho has strongly condemned the August 22 incident as a heinous crime.
“The culprit doesn’t deserve a place to live in a civilized society,” he said while expressing solidarity and support on behalf of the Rengma community. He thanked the people of Kohima village for showing their highest sense of wisdom and understanding by letting the law to take its own course of action.
“Your wisdom and understanding have cleared the fear psychosis of our people. We have learned a lot from you,” he said. He also urged the state government to expedite the investigation process so that justice is delivered at the earliest.
Victim’s family account
On the fateful evening of August 22 at around 4 pm, the victim, while tending her paddy, saw a man coming out from her hut with a dao. Considering him to be a thief, she shouted at him enquiring why would he take her machete away.
In response to which he kept the dao on the ground and advanced towards her and started kicking and beating her “black and blue.”
Though she struggled to defend herself, the man overpowered her and violated her. Even after she managed to free herself and ran off to the hut, the accused pursued her and violated her again. After he left, the victim ran to a farm located nearby after which her family was informed.
The same evening, two men identified as Vezota Vesa, s/o Ruduto Vesa of Dzülhami village and Tulsi, s/o Sitaram were arrested on suspicion. On interrogation, they both confessed that they belonged to a gang to which the rapist was also a member.
The next day, on August 23, two other suspects, Kevidetuo Sorhie, s/o Therhiesuo Sorhie of Kohima village and Vizobeilie Rüpreo, s/o of Ketseiu Rüpreo of Nachama village were also apprehended. Lastly on August 24, the rapist Thanwalo Magh, son of Kafu Magh of Tesophenyu village was arrested.
All those apprehended belong to a notorious gang and have criminal records against them, and are currently under judicial custody. The victim, who was grievously injured, is still being treated at an ICU in one of the hospitals in Kohima.
KVC memo to CM
The memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister by the Kohima Village Council (KVC) has demanded that the crime committed by Thanwalo Magh of Tesophenyu village be treated in the most serious manner. It also demanded that the culprit should not be released on bail.
“We are at a loss of words to express our anger over this horrendous crime. At the same time, we are trying our best not to make this crime a tribal or communal issue. Therefore, our appeal to your government is to treat this matter as the most important issue of the day and take up measures on priority basis,” said the KVC memo adding that “it will take extremely serious considerations in the event of failure to comply with its demand.”
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The KVC memo, signed by its chairman Neivor Rutsa, also demanded that the state government ensure safety to all the citizens of Kohima by deploying the police machinery to its fullest potentials and efficiency, such as installation of CCTVs in all strategic locations in Kohima town and establishment of forensic laboratory in Nagaland at the earliest.
Appropriate action against the guilty: CM
The Chief Minister of Nagaland, TR Zeliang today assured that appropriate action would be taken against the culprit(s) if found guilty.
“Whatever constitutional provision is there, appropriate action would be taken against the culprit(s) if found guilty,” he said after receiving the memorandum from the Kohima Village Council.
He also urged the KVC and KVYO to extend their cooperation during the process of investigation, so that the actual investigation report can be submitted on time. It may be mentioned that the forensic investigation is still awaited.
On behalf of the state government, the CM also thanked the Kohima village people for allowing the law to take its own course of action. To this, he also appealed any section of the Naga society, be it individual or organizations, to follow this order when dealing with crime.
On the demands put forth by KVC for installation of CCTVs, Zeliang informed that the government plans to install CCTVs in important locations in Kohima and Dimapur.
