Representational Image. (IANS Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 2
The Dimapur Eastern Naga Students’ Union (DENSU) and Western Naga Youth Front (WNYF) and have demanded the immediate constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and a fast-track investigation into the alleged sexual assault of a minor in Dimapur. The organisations demanded that the case be directly monitored by the Director General of Police, and that the SIT should be headed by an officer of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) or Inspector General (IG) rank.
DENSU President Thongule Sangtam told the media on June 2 that the union has already submitted this demand to senior police officials. “Our demand is clear. No procedural lapses, and the case must be resolved swiftly through a fast-track process,” Sangtam said. He also warned of street protests if the accused is granted bail on medical grounds, while demanding the arrest of a third suspect.
Sangtam alleged procedural lapses in the initial handling of the case, claiming out that the accused appeared was smiling in his mugshot. He also demanded that the family of the accused be questioned for allegedly speaking ill of the victim, asserting that concealing a crime is equally wrong.
DENSU General Secretary Sharen Shiu reiterated calls for the arrest and investigation of the accused’s mother, alleging that the victim was kept in the same house where the abuse occurred. Shiu further alleged that the mother had actively attempted to defame the minor. “How could the mother not know? She should have spoken up,” Shiu stated.
WNYF President Aga Rengma expressed solidarity with DENSU’s demands. Rengma urged investigators to expand the charges beyond the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. He demanded the inclusion of relevant provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act, citing allegations that a firearm was used to threaten the minor.
The DENSU General Secretary supported this demand, stating that information regarding the firearm came from a reliable source and that a gun cannot be used to threaten and abuse people.
Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) President GK Rengma called on all stakeholders to cooperate to resolve the issue constructively. Rengma said that several tribal and civil society organisations, including Chang organisations, are currently coordinating to ensure the matter is resolved through a fast-track legal process.
