State Women Commission asks Chief Secretary to expedite investigation
Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 31
Former Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Noklak, Reny Wilfred is facing allegations of sexual misconduct and the Nagaland State Women Commission has requested the state government to investigate and allow the law to take its own course of action.
The case came to light after a police complaint was filed on July 27 by two girls, one of whom is said to be a 14 year-old. The other is reportedly 18 years of age.
The accusation coincided with the Nagaland state government transferring the official out of Noklak on July 28 to be posted as Joint Secretary in the Home Department in Kohima.
Subsequent to the complaint, the Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) sent a team to Noklak on July 29 “to assess the situation.” The team returned to Kohima on July 31 after which NSCW Chairperson Khrienuo Tachü wrote to the Chief Secretary (CS).
In the letter, the NSCW asked the CS to “expedite investigation on the case” involving the former Noklak DC. It said, “The Nagaland State Commission for Women wish to advise the government to fast-track the matter and allow the law to take its own course of action.”
The Noklak police have still to confirm the receipt of the complaint/First Information Report filed by the victims. On July 30, sources in Noklak told The Morung Express that the Noklak police was aware of the complaint but was still to register it.
On July 31, it was learnt that the Noklak police was in the process of compiling a report of the case after the Police Headquarters in Kohima came calling.
There was however no official input or details even after repeated attempts to get official comment from the Noklak police.
Comments were hard to come by even from the Chief Secretary’s office. “We are looking into it,” was the response from the CS to a text message query. He later told The Morung Express over the phone, “We are aware of the issue. We are looking into the matter and appropriate action will be taken.”
The chronology of events as told by sources stated that the alleged incident occurred sometime in early June. How it came to light remains unclear but as per sources, the victims reportedly approached a women’s body in Noklak for assistance. According to the sources, the women’s body wrote to the Chief Secretary seeking the former DC’s removal from office in the later part of July.
It was followed by the formal police complaint on July 27.
Meanwhile, the Sakhi One Stop Center (OSC) Tuensang confirmed that the two alleged victims have been brought to Tuensang, where they are being given shelter and counseling.
