Morung Express News
Kiphire | April 18
“A country that attained freedom in 1947, is today plunged into darkness and the hands of our leaders are soiled with innocent blood,” AJ Sebastian, a senior citizen and an educationist stated while addressing thousands of people gathered at the candlelight service held condemning the rape and murder of the eight-year-old at Kathua in Indian-administered Kashmir.
The candlelight service was organised by the 'Kiphire Today’ Facebook and WhatsApp group at Deluxe Point, Kiphire Town on April 17.
Expressing deep pain and anguish, Sebastian said, “Today our hearts are filled with sorrow and shame with a sense of guilt and helplessness.” He added, “The rights enshrined in our constitution are thrown to the winds and perhaps, we need to be better prepared for the worse days to come, since our lives lies at the mercy of the people who are the perpetuators of shame and crime.”
Children and students attended the service with placards displaying messages like: “we too are helpless like you; you are safe in Paradise; shame and crime engulf us; we are sorry and we ask your pardon; I'm ashamed to be an Indian at this juncture of history; Democracy is unfit for us today” etc.
Voicing out against rising rape cases and crime against women and children across the nation, Youth Director of KTBL said, “it is scary to know we are not safe in our own surroundings for women and children irrespective of age, today crime against children and women is spiraling out of control.”
“The power we have as civilized human beings is to stand up against the force of evil. Let us know that the safety of children and women that maybe vulnerable is a right not a privilege,” she added. The Youth Director also maintained that “rape and assault on children and women is an un-pardonable crime.”
Moderating the event, P. Achumse said that “the purpose of coming together was for the cause of humanity that calls for action when the scared values of human dignity that we cherish and treasure is infringed upon.” “As citizens of this great nation, when basic Human Right is been violated with all impunity, especially against children and women, we are duty-bound to defend it,” he added.
Welcoming the gathering, Ningsepi Sangtam said, “this are trying and challenges times, that calls for collective action keeping asides religion, caste creed and colour.”
Proposing vote of thanks, I Stefen remarked “it is hope that keeps the society marching forward, and it is this hope that makes us believe truth will triumph over evil.”
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