DIMAPUR — The
Zeliangrong Youth Organisation Nagaland (ZYON) has announced the launch of its
second phase of agitation in the form of an indefinite district-wide shutdown
in Peren starting June 10. The decision comes in response to what the organisation
described as the state government’s continued failure to provide justice in the
Pimla murder case.
At a press conference held in Dimapur on Friday, ZYON
president R John Zeliang said the shutdown will exclude schools, paramilitary
forces, and medical services. He reiterated that the organisation had exhausted
all channels of communication before deciding to resume its protest.
R John Zeliang (2nd from right) and Adaube Hiekha Hau (1st
from right) and other members during the press conference on Friday. (EM
Images)
The murder case in question involves the killing of a woman
on April 7 between Mhaikam and Pimla villages in Peren district. In the
aftermath, ZYON, supported by citizens and other organisations, held a peace
rally on April 11 at Mhaikam village ground. A four-day ultimatum was issued,
calling on the authorities to arrest the culprit by April 14. With no
significant progress shared beyond reports of a few individuals being in police
custody, ZYON launched its first phase of agitation on April 22 with an
indefinite shutdown.
The agitation was suspended on April 26 following a
consultative meeting with civil society organisations (CSOs) as a meeting was
scheduled with the home commissioner. After the meeting on April 28, ZYON
suspended its agitation for one month, awaiting concrete action or updates from
the state government.
That deadline expired on May 29. With no further communication
or progress reported, the organisation expressed disappointment over what it
called the state’s “lackadaisical” handling of the case. ZYON criticised the
government for not providing timely updates and cited repeated delays
attributed to pending forensic or DNA test results.
“If the government were truly serious about the case, it
would have provided timely updates on the progress by now,” said Zeliang. He
added that such excuses point to systemic weaknesses and have failed to
reassure the public.
Further, the fight is not just for justice in the Pimla
murder case or for the safety of women in Peren district alone, but for the
security and dignity of all women across Nagaland, he said.
Adaube Hiekha Hau, President of the Zeliangrong Students’
Union Nagaland (ZSUN), informed that a joint emergency meeting with CSOs on
June 4 led to the unanimous decision to proceed with the second phase of
agitation. The student leader stated that they had cooperated with the
government throughout, but the lack of action has compelled them to resume
their protest.
Calling on the public to prepare for the shutdown, Hau said,
“We don’t want the public to suffer, but the people are now prepared to endure
hardships if that’s what it takes to demand justice.”
General Secretary of ZSUN, Kibouwi, appealed to the Naga
public to remain united in the pursuit of justice and warned that further
inaction may embolden perpetrators in the future.
ZYON also issued a caution, stating it would not be held
responsible for any untoward incidents during the course of the agitation,
reiterating that the blame would lie with those who failed to act on their
demands.
