Government offices, vehicles, and NH-129A were shut down in Peren as Zeliangrong organisations launched an indefinite agitation over the Pimla murder case.
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DIMAPUR — Government and administrative offices remained shut, government vehicles stayed off the roads, and National Highway-129A was blocked in Peren district on Tuesday during the second phase of the indefinite “aggressive agitation” called by the Zeliangrong Youth Organisation Nagaland (ZYON), Zeliangrong Students’ Union Nagaland (ZSUN), and Zeliangrong Mipui Organisation (ZMO).
Addressing the gathering, ZYON president R John Zeliang said that since April 7 they have been demanding justice for the Pimla murder case, yet the state government appears to be “one of the weakest they have ever experienced.”
He remarked that while the government promotes initiatives for women’s empowerment, it has failed to ensure women’s safety. “Even in their own place, women are not safe,” he said, adding that after sunset women are afraid to step out of their homes or go to the market alone. This decline, he said, is the result of the government’s failure to ensure safety.
Declaring that the community could no longer tolerate such conditions, he said women and children too deserve to live independent lives. However, owing to the state government’s failure, they were compelled to launch the second phase of agitation.
Related: Pimla murder case: Indefinite shutdown in Peren district begins on August 19
He noted that during the first phase, they respected the government’s advice and complied with its directions, but this time they will not backtrack. The agitation, he said, will continue indefinitely until the state government and law-enforcement agencies deliver justice.
Clarifying their stand, Zeliang said their only demand is the release of the forensic report in the public domain. “Whether or not the prime accused is re-arrested is not our concern. But we will not be held responsible if anything happens to the prime accused,” he warned.
He maintained that until the forensic report is made public, they will not hold discussions with any government agency or department.
“If the authorities are truly serious, they should release the forensic report,” he added.
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He also announced that National Highway-129A would remain blocked for inter-state transport from Tuesday onwards, adding that commercial vehicles, including night super buses, will not be allowed to pass.
Anyone violating the order, he cautioned, would face direct action for which the organisations would not be held responsible.
“There will be no more warnings or appeals,” he said, adding that if the government was unhappy with the decision, it was free to arrest him. “I stand for the safety of every Naga woman,” he affirmed, while urging participants to remain steadfast “rain or shine.”
Meanwhile, Western Naga Youth Front (WNYF) interim president Aga Rengma told the media that representatives of all WNYF-affiliated units were present to extend solidarity. Although Peren district does not fall under WNYF’s jurisdiction, he said they were compelled to participate since the crime occurred in a district where one of their affiliated organisations is based.
Explaining the need for forensic evidence, Rengma said a criminal case can be established through three means—eyewitness testimony, a confession by the accused, or forensic evidence. In the Pimla murder case, there is no eyewitness, and though the accused may have confessed, it is not official.
The only option left, he said, is forensic evidence, and with no forensic report available, the prime accused has been granted bail.
He lamented that even after five months the forensic report has not been released, blaming the delay on the absence of a forensic laboratory in Nagaland, which has forced reliance on facilities in other states. The excuse of not having a forensic lab has only prolonged the case further, he said.
He also criticised the government’s spending priorities, pointing out that while crores are invested in the Hornbill Festival, sports infrastructure and community halls, basic necessities like a forensic laboratory remain neglected. He described the government’s inability to set up such a facility as “highly unfortunate.”
He also urged the government to establish more women police stations, noting that there is currently only one in Dimapur, leaving other areas neglected.