Seeks intervention of Nagaland government and civil society for fair trial and justice
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 11 (MExN): The family of late Ritika Mehta, who was killed by a gunman on December 14, 2015 in Dimapur have called upon the authorities concerned to deliver fair trial and justice in the case.
In a memorandum submitted by the family, they expressed concern that the “ambiguity surrounding the case and the vague answers provided by the authorities only increases our fear that my mother will never get her share of justice.”
The memorandum was addressed to the Nagaland State Home Minister, DGP, Dimapur DC, Dimapur Commissioner of Police, DCP Crime, Naga Mothers Association, Naga Council Dimapur, Nagaland Alliance for Children and Women Rights, Naga Women Hoho, Nagaland Hotel and Restaurant Association, and the Women Cell East Police Station.
Ritika’s family informed that the police have been provided with CCTV footage, previous FIRs filed by the murder victim, and the entire case history. “Though the police informed us that they have identified suspects, we are afraid that it is taking a long time to find more information from the suspected killers. This only proves that people with power and influence are involved in the case,” they however alleged.
The family revealed that after she was shot, Ritika took an auto by herself to the nearest hospital. However they alleged that the hospital “refused to even provide first aid or emergency attention to the victim.” “After about 15 minutes of waiting in the hospital and refused any medical care, she was taken to another hospital which took another 15 minutes in the peak traffic hours. She was declared brought dead…” they stated.
They further informed that Ritika had filed several FIRs in the local East Dimapur Police station fearing safety for her life. The family added that they have been “facing lot of threat and harassments from unknown calls threatening us to leave the place and city immediately.”
They further lamented that the “delay in justice” is affecting the studies of Ritika’s children. “We as a family have lost everything we had and want nothing but fair trial and justice for our mother. We have lost our mother and now are at the verge of losing our education and career opportunities because we are left clueless about the murder.”The children further expressed fear for their father’s safety and security in Dimapur.
“With all that our family has gone through in the last 15 days, we at least deserve an answer from the murderer why he had to shoot a woman and a mother, running her own business and family and who is involved in the murder,” they demanded.
While acknowledging the local community, police, and the government for “being with us during these trying times,” they however stated that “we are equally worried about our future and security.” “The murder of my mother, a proud citizen of Dimapur with a rich heritage as social worker and business woman right inside her workplace shows the vulnerability of the minority communities living and working in Dimapur, Nagaland,” the family added.
They termed the killing as a “murder of the essence of women, the progressive Nagaland culture, and the pride of women-oriented NorthEast culture. Her image stood for the cosmopolitan and multi-cultural diversity of Dimapur town and the state as a whole. The murder of my mother is against the morals and values of any god-fearing Naga and against humanity.”
Ritika’s family further urged for intervention from the civil society and organizations that “uphold human rights values, equality, and women empowerment.”
