A child holds a candle during a vigil in Wokha to remember the victim of the October 24 Kohima murder. (Morung File Photo)
AWO, NSCW commend police action and public unity
Kohima, November 6 (MExN): The Angami Women Organisation (AWO) and the Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) have called for sustained efforts to ensure justice and safety for women in the aftermath of the October 24 murder in Kohima, urging authorities to go beyond expressions of condemnation and take concrete action to prevent violence.
The AWO expressed appreciation to the Kohima Police for their “prompt and dedicated efforts in arresting the prime accused” in the case, while commending the “dedication and hard work of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and all the officers who have worked relentlessly to dig and uncover this heinous crime.”
While acknowledging the breakthrough, AWO urged the police to “continue their investigation with utmost sincerity and determination” and to “leave no stone unturned in uncovering the full truth and ensuring that all those involved, directly or indirectly, are brought to justice.” It stated that “the heinous nature of this crime demands that justice be served without delay or leniency.”
Highlighting the “alarming rise in crimes against women,” the organisation called for stronger public safety measures in Kohima and beyond, urging the government to install CCTV cameras “in all critical and vulnerable areas to deter crime and aid swift investigation when incidents occur.” It said that such infrastructure would “serve as a preventive and investigative tool in protecting our citizens, especially women and children.”
AWO also stressed the “immediate need for setting up a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in the state capital,” noting that the recent case had “brought to light how the absence of such crucial infrastructure delays the progress of justice.” Establishing an FSL, it added, “will not only help investigators act swiftly but also ensure the accuracy and credibility of evidence, enabling timely and fair prosecution of offenders.”
“This brutal act has devastated and shattered our community, particularly women and girls,” the statement read, adding that the organisation “demands stringent punishment for the accused and every accomplice so that such acts of violence, especially against women and girls, are met with strong deterrence.” It further appealed to “law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and all concerned stakeholders to act decisively so that justice is rightfully served.”
Meanwhile, the NSCW also lauded the SIT and Kohima Police for their “commendable and dedicated efforts” in investigating and solving the case.
The Commission extended gratitude to colony authorities, community members, and the public for their “immense support, cooperation, and vigilance” throughout the investigation, stating that such unity “reflects the strength and compassion of our society in standing up against violence and injustice.”
It also acknowledged “organizations, civil bodies, social media influencers, and individuals across the State who raised their voices and demanded justice for the victim,” adding that the candlelight vigils and solidarity gatherings held in Zao’s memory were a “powerful reminder of our shared commitment to upholding the dignity and safety of every woman.”
Calling for continued collective responsibility, the NSCW stated, “Together, let us continue to work towards creating a society where justice, peace, and respect for human life prevails, and let it not just be confined to issuance of condemnation notes.”
