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Naga women attend a rally organised by the Lotha Hoho Dimapur against the murder of a woman, in Dimapur on Wednesday, October 25.[/caption]
Staff Reporter
Dimapur, Oct. 25 (EMN): Hundreds of people converged at the Deluxe Point in Dimapur on Wednesday protesting the brutal murder of a woman, Alino Lotha, on Oct. 25. The protestors have demanded the death penalty to the perpetrator.
“Our key message is an end to the violence against women that is on the rise, the right of a woman to live whatsoever her profession maybe and the choice of a woman should be respected,” said secretary of the Naga Women Hoho of Dimapur Vimeno Liegise at the event.
Further, she strongly denounced the abuse of social media by ‘internet warriors’ who allegedly circulated pictures which may be disturbing for the victim’s family; besides the issue of ‘character assassination’ through social media in which, she said, the Nagas were ‘good at.’ She cautioned individuals to be sensitive and aware when circulating news without validation.
Likewise, the chairman of the Lotha Hoho of Dimapur E Kikon condemned the incident as barbaric and has demanded the law-enforcing agency to ‘register the case without any bias.’ He lamented that ‘unpleasant incidents’ against women was on the rise.
Shops remained closed during the rally. Movement of vehicles was restricted during the event.
Though the turnout for the rally was discouraging, the speakers at the event strongly demanded the that the law-enforcing agencies be unbiased with the proceeding of the case and to deliver justice. The speakers included Dimapur Elumyo Ekhung Chairman Renathung Ezung, Dimapur Lotha Youth Organisation President Mhonchumo Ovung, Dimapur Sumi Totimi President Hokali V Chishi, and Naga Council Dimapur Action Committee Convenor Vekhosayi Nyekha.
In a memorandum addressed to the Dimapur district session judge, the protestors listed out a number of demands. The memorandum was appended by, among others, the president of the Naga Women Hoho of Dimapur Nungshirenla Aier and Lotha Eloe Ekhung President Sungsalo Lotha.
The memorandum stated: In failing to impose the death penalty in reference to section 302, the administration must hand over the case to be tried under Naga customary law within one month; any lawyer or political pressure should not intervene the case for bail or divulge the punishment to life imprisonment without the consent of the complainant, Eloe Ekhung and Naga Women Hoho Dimapur; police security must be provided to the family of the deceased and children immediately until the family feel secure from any harassment; social media users must be refrained by the administration ‘not to distort the case into mob attack.’
The rally was led by the Lotha Hoho of Dimapur, Lotha Eloe Ekhung of Dimapur, Lotha Youth Organization, and Dimapur Lotha Students’ Union.
