Protesters in Kohima demand a fast-track trial in an alleged rape case, mandatory GPS tracking and routine breathalyser checks for drivers
KOHIMA — Hundreds of women, men, youths and students took part in a protest rally on Friday, demanding stringent action and a speedy investigation and trial in an alleged rape case involving a private taxi driver in Kohima district. The organisers also called for mandatory GPS installation in public transport vehicles and routine breathalyser checks for drivers.
The rally was organised by Nerhema Women Organisation (NWO), Nerhema Youth and Sports Organisation (NYSO), Nerhema Students Union (NSU), NPWO and NMWO. The protesters marched from Nerhe model village to Chiephobozou Town Council office premises and then to the additional deputy commissioner’s office, where they submitted a joint memorandum addressed to the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police, Kohima, through Additional Deputy Commissioner Kohima, Ruopfükuotuo Noudi.
According to the memorandum, the incident occurred on October 17, 2026, at around 1.30 pm, when a woman from Nerhema was travelling from Kohima to Chiephobozou in a private taxi. The organisations alleged that the driver failed to stop at her designated destination and locked her inside the vehicle.
The memorandum further alleged that the driver diverted the vehicle towards the Chiechama-Botsa route to drop off a male co-passenger before proceeding towards Ciethu Road under Chiephobozou Town, where the woman was allegedly sexually assaulted.
The accused was identified in the memorandum as Ruokuotuolie Rüpreo, 28, a private taxi driver from Chiechama village. The organisations stated that an FIR had been lodged at Chiephobozou Police Station.
In their memorandum, the organisations demanded that the accused be booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including those relating to kidnapping, wrongful confinement and rape. They called for a thorough, fair and time-bound investigation, early filing of the charge-sheet and prosecution through a fast-track court. They also demanded that no bail be granted to the accused and that no individual or organisation attempt to influence the investigation or seek a compromise on his behalf.
The organisations described the alleged incident as an attack on women’s dignity, bodily integrity and safety. They said it had undermined public trust in the transport system and created fear and insecurity among women and girl students who depend on public transport for work, education and other daily activities.
Calling passenger safety a legal duty, NWO and NYSO urged the authorities to make GPS devices mandatory in all public transport vehicles and ensure strict monitoring. They also sought routine breathalyser checks for drivers.
The memorandum further demanded immediate psychological counselling, medical support and adequate compensation for the victim and her family under the Nagaland Victim Compensation Scheme, 2012, and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. The organisations appealed to the public and media not to disclose or circulate details that could identify the victim, stressing the need to protect her privacy and dignity.
The organisations expressed solidarity with the victim and her family and warned that they, along with other frontal organisations of Nerhema village, would intensify democratic agitation if justice was delayed or denied.
The protesters also expressed disappointment over the absence of the ADC of Chiephobozou subdivision, stating that the officer had been informed in advance about the rally but was on official leave and had not been present to receive their memorandum.