Phek, September 12 (MExN): Lozaphuhu village bodies today appealed to all right thinking people to condemn the “dastardly act” committed on two minor girls by two 5th NAP personnel Ivishe Sumi and ZS Amongba Yimchumger (both under F Company) on September 5. Meanwhile, they appreciated the prompt action of the administration to arrest the accused.
In a joint statement, the Lozaphuhu Village Council (LVC), Lozaphuhu Students' Union (LSU) and Lozaphuhu Youth Organisation (LYO) informed that on the evening of Teacher’s Day after the celebration, the two girls (both 14 years) studying in a school in Phek Town were on their way home after returning borrowed stuff at 5th NAP Camp when the two personnel, driving a white van bearing registration number NL 01C 4956, “came and deceitfully tricked the girls to board the vehicle assuring that they would drop them at their home which is just some 300 meters away.”
Reluctantly, the children took lift in good faith as the personnel insisted, it said. “But instead of dropping them at their place, the two men forcefully drove them away into isolated jungle which is some 2 km away below the Camp and 4 km away from the main Town. After stopping at a deserted location, the accused checked the pockets of the girls for mobile phones asking the girls to dismount from vehicle and made indecent touches too while they talked and smoked nearby for quite a while,” the statement alleged.
All along the route, according to the statement, the girls cried and further raised hue and cry when the vehicle stopped at the deserted location requesting the men to take them home. Instead of taking them home, the men again said they were taking them to another side of the town, it was stated. Following this, the girls panicked and one of them jumped out of the moving vehicle which resulted in serious injury, the organizations said, adding the injured girl was bought to hospital in semi-conscious state at 8:25 pm. Even after this, it was alleged, the vehicle sped further which almost resulted in another accident as it nearly skidded off-road.
“The girls have been subjected to deep mental trauma by all this. Based on prima facie evidence…it is no less than an attempt to rape or outrage the modesty of the girls. It did put the life of the girls at great stake and one of them almost got killed which is a serious crime of attempted murder. The girls were taken away forcefully much against their will which brings to fore a clear case of abduction,” the statement maintained.
The LVC, LSU and LYO expressed shock that the protector became the predator as the accused were security personnel themselves responsible for life and security of citizens. They further appealed to the authorities concerned to award befitting punishment to the accused and set an exemplary example. In the event of any complacency or failure on the part of law enforcing agencies to deliver befitting justice, the statement cautioned, “LVC will not be in position to assure any smooth outcome sensing the incensed mood of our youths.”
