Wohka, February 6 (MExN): The Lotha Eloe Hoho (LEH), Lotha Students' Union (LSU) and Pangti Village Students' Union (PVSU) have expressed outrage over the alleged sexual assault a 13-year-old girl multiple times.
The accused, 52 year-old man, and a 4th Grade employee at a school, where the victim is also enrolled, has been taken into police custody informed the Wokha Police.
Meanwhile, in their condemnation notes, the LEH, LSU and PVSU identified the accused as one Tama Ngullie, a resident of Pangti Village.
LEH: Expressing shock, outrage and disappointment over the horrific crime, the LEH stated that the “despicable act is not only a grave crime against the victim but also a stain on the dignity of our society.”
“Such inhuman and barbaric acts have no place in a civilized community, and we strongly condemn this incident in the harshest terms,” the apex women body of the Lotha Naga tribe added.
It also urged the law enforcement authorities to ensure that the perpetrator is punished to the fullest extent of the law, serving as an example to deter such crimes in the future.
The LEH also called upon every individual in the society to uphold moral values and discipline in personal and social life.
The rising instances of violence against women and children are deeply concerning, and we must collectively work to prevent such crimes from occurring, it held.
The LEH also issued a “stern warning” that any individual found guilty of such crimes will not only face legal consequences but will also be subject to strict social and customary measures.
It also commended the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and the Women Police for their swift and decisive action in apprehending the perpetrator, terming their prompt response as a “strong commitment to justice and a dedication to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society.”
LSU: The LSU also expressed outrage over the incident and demanded action under the fullest extent of the law against the accused.
“Such heinous crime is absolutely unacceptable, and the perpetrator must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” it stated.
The LSU also noted that it was deeply disturbed to learn that this is not an isolated incident and reports from the victim's family have confirmed the accused has a history of such behaviour.
This is a clear case of serial predation which is absolutely unacceptable and demands severe consequences, the apex Lotha Student’s body asserted.
Stating that such egregious act constitutes a gross violation of human rights and dignity, the LSU further demanded immediate termination of the accused from his service and be prosecuted under the relevant section of the POCSO Act.
“We expect swift and decisive action from the authorities to ensure that justice is served. Anything less would be a gross miscarriage of justice and a failure to protect the rights and safety of students,” it added.
The LSU also lauded the CWC and the Women Police for their prompt intervention to bring the perpetrator into custody and said that it demonstrated a commitment to justice and a willingness to take swift action to protect the vulnerable.
The Union also conveyed its solidarity with the victim and their family demanding justice and assured that it would monitor the situation closely and will take all necessary steps to ensure that the rights of the victim and their family are protected.
PVSU: The PVSU also termed the act as “barbaric and devilish” and condemned it in strongest term.
It also expressed grave concern over the incident and called upon the investigating agency to leave no stone unturned in the investigation so that justice is delivered in the court of law.
The PVSU expressed solidarity with the victim, acknowledging the mental and physical trauma inflicted by the perpetrator.
Crimes, especially rape dehumanise societies and letting the perpetrators of such crimes go unpunished is a threat to the society and must be condemned by all, it added.
