DIMAPUR, JANUARY 11 (MExN): ‘We care for you Dear Mothers, Sisters, and Daughters’, read a banner during the protest rally organized by the Dimapur Gorkha Union (DGU) condemning the atrocities against women and girl child. The protest rally was held today at the City Tower Junction. After a brief programme, the procession marched towards DC Office for submission of Memorandum to the Prime Minister of India and to the Chief Minister of Nagaland through the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur.
Chairman, DGU, Kumar Subba called on all NGOs, Church Leaders, Representatives of all tribal unions to voice out against crimes and atrocities committed against women. While reporting shameful facts of visibly rising atrocities against women, he stated that the once safe close-knit society is now unsafe for any women.
The protest rally was organized on account of the reported three cases of rape and murder of two women from the Gorkha community within a span of two months. However, he said the fight for the cause was on behalf of all women folks. He appealed to the state Government to fast track rape cases and called for capital punishment of the accused while also questioning the silence of the Government on the above reported cases and others.
Dipak Lama, Chairman Disciplinary action committee and Convenor Organising Committee, Dimapur Gorkha Union, raised concern that violence against women in Nagaland is left isolated. “When United Nations, Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon voiced out on the recent Delhi gang rape, our voices and crimes on our state should also be heard”, he stated.
He also said that it was disheartening to hear news of a 4-yr old being raped on Christmas Day, the birth of Jesus Christ, and abduction and rape of a 12-yr old on New Year’s Day. He spoke on the role of women in society and appealed to all men to respect any women, for it was unimaginable to think of a world without women.
To show his support for the heinous crime, Geoffrey Yaden, Editor, Nagaland Post, assured of the support of all communities towards the Gorkha Union to protest crime against women, as it concerned all. He opined that it was time society changed its mind set of the female sex being considered second class, and to treat them of what they are and not on how the society perceives, for today we see women are doing better than men in all fields. ‘We must respect them, starting from within the family’, he said.
Dr. Easterine Kire, Author appealed for two things- First, to not indulge in ‘blame game’, blaming one another will only trap us. Secondly, to put an end to the stigma of ‘Victimisation’, as we do not want the victims to remain victims their whole life, instead to show support and stand in solidarity. She suggested, the solution to such crimes would be to empower and educate the vulnerable groups and spread awareness by becoming the driving force ourselves and not depending on any Government or external forces.
President, Naga Women Hoho on behalf of the Women Association showed support to DGU and lauded that it was one of a kind organization staged by men leaders for the cause of violence against women. She protested that women will not cry in silence anymore and pointing out that crime against women should be stopped. It is men who protects the women, what happens to women when their own protector inflicts crime on them, she voiced out.
Professor Dr. Temsula , Chairperson, NSCW, greeted the gathering in the name of humanity saying that there exist only two human kind, male and female, and it was important to understand and protect each other for the sake of humanity, and such awareness to show respect should be taught from family first, she said.
Remarking on the huge turn-out of civilians for the protest rally, she said it was a triumph for the desire to do good for the society regardless of caste, status, and community. President, Naga Council Dimapur, energised the crowd saying the power of government was in the hands of the people, hence when the authority are ignorant of crimes and unable to protect the women, the people can vote them out of power, while also encouraging all to unite to fight for crime and justice without any bias and prejudice.
Medziphema Town Women Organization supported by saying that the government should provide protection, justice, quick action, and capital punishment for perpetuators. They were of the opinion that the culprit should not be jailed, bailed, just nailed.
