Dimapur | October 1 : A public seminar called to take stock of the ever increasing incidence of kidnapping, extortion and rape on Saturday ended on a convincing note with the conclave calling for urgent and pragmatic mechanisms to alleviate crime in Dimapur. The seminar was jointly called by the Dimapur district administration and frontal civil organizations. The Dimapur Bar Council, who were also invited did not attend citing “professional inconvenience”. Panel experts, who were especially selected for the meeting, will be drafting a declaration, arrived at the end of the meeting in about two day’s time and it will be made public soon after.
Earlier, the meeting began with the Home Minister Imkong L Imchen delivering the opening address. In the midst of much criticism on account of the spiraling rate of crime and no workable counter mechanism in sight, the Imchen acknowledged the failings in the law and order front while maintaining that he as the Home Minister will not shun from his assigned responsibility.
Choosing to differ on the purpose of the meeting, though on a positive note, he made it clear that merely passing a resolution and submitting it to the government for action; the civil society on their part will be depriving themselves of their potential in the process of leadership. One should not be over-confident (on the purpose of the meeting) as well, rather be analytical, he said. “Let us explore ourselves, work on what we can contribute to the society.” He said that blaming the failings of the government in the event of a kidnapping will not solve the problem.
“The spectre of extortion has disgraced the good image of Naga politics and the good cause of Naga nationalism.” Terming extortionists as criminals and parasites of the society, he said that those that extort money in the name of Naga nationalism/politics are anti-Nagas, he stated. “They’re extorting money from Naga public, they’re anti-Nagas.” The factions collecting money in the name of ‘tax’ has only exhibited Nagaland in a bad light to the outside world. As a result the impression of Nagaland outside is one of negativity, he said.
Touching on the Ceasefire Agreement the Naga political groups have with the Government of India, he maintained that there are clearly defined clauses in the agreements which bar them from forceful collection of money from the public. He further clarified that there is nothing called ‘unauthorized taxation’, which is in fact extortion.
Rape, unheard of in the traditional Naga society of the past, is rearing its ugly head today. One can only imagine the degree of trauma the victims have to suffer, and which will ever linger as a dreadful reminder for life, he said. “No amount of penalty on the perpetrators can heal her wounds”, said Imchen while calling for introspection and in-depth study to try and comprehend the reasons and causes, which may be contributing to the emergence of this hideous act of aggression against a woman’s modesty.
For the police, they should also try and understand the people (their upbringing, the environment they grew up in) they are dealing with, Imchen suggested. “Now, the dimensions have changed… only punishing him doesn’t solve the problem.”
Earlier, the meeting began with the Home Minister Imkong L Imchen delivering the opening address. In the midst of much criticism on account of the spiraling rate of crime and no workable counter mechanism in sight, the Imchen acknowledged the failings in the law and order front while maintaining that he as the Home Minister will not shun from his assigned responsibility.
Choosing to differ on the purpose of the meeting, though on a positive note, he made it clear that merely passing a resolution and submitting it to the government for action; the civil society on their part will be depriving themselves of their potential in the process of leadership. One should not be over-confident (on the purpose of the meeting) as well, rather be analytical, he said. “Let us explore ourselves, work on what we can contribute to the society.” He said that blaming the failings of the government in the event of a kidnapping will not solve the problem.
“The spectre of extortion has disgraced the good image of Naga politics and the good cause of Naga nationalism.” Terming extortionists as criminals and parasites of the society, he said that those that extort money in the name of Naga nationalism/politics are anti-Nagas, he stated. “They’re extorting money from Naga public, they’re anti-Nagas.” The factions collecting money in the name of ‘tax’ has only exhibited Nagaland in a bad light to the outside world. As a result the impression of Nagaland outside is one of negativity, he said.
Touching on the Ceasefire Agreement the Naga political groups have with the Government of India, he maintained that there are clearly defined clauses in the agreements which bar them from forceful collection of money from the public. He further clarified that there is nothing called ‘unauthorized taxation’, which is in fact extortion.
Rape, unheard of in the traditional Naga society of the past, is rearing its ugly head today. One can only imagine the degree of trauma the victims have to suffer, and which will ever linger as a dreadful reminder for life, he said. “No amount of penalty on the perpetrators can heal her wounds”, said Imchen while calling for introspection and in-depth study to try and comprehend the reasons and causes, which may be contributing to the emergence of this hideous act of aggression against a woman’s modesty.
For the police, they should also try and understand the people (their upbringing, the environment they grew up in) they are dealing with, Imchen suggested. “Now, the dimensions have changed… only punishing him doesn’t solve the problem.”
Another public debate on Dimapur’s crime conclude
Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 1
“Dimapur is bleeding but Dimapur is not going to the hospital… Dimapurians will have to stop the bleeding.” This was the opening remark of Dr. PS Lorin, Principal Tetso College, who presented a paper titled - ‘Extortion, unauthorized taxation, kidnapping, law & order problems plaguing Dimapur: causes, preventive measures & laws to stem the menace’ at the public seminar called by the Dimapur district administration and frontal civil society organizations on Saturday, October 1. The conclave was organized chiefly to take stock of the ever increasing crime rate of Dimapur.
“We raise our voice today against extortion, kidnapping and illegal taxation because we find every other person or member(s) of an organization, a union or government department taking equal participation in extortion and unauthorized taxation.” Commenting on the number of arrests by the law enforcement agencies, based on the daily news reports, as regards the aforementioned crimes, he said that it brings to light two important issues: “Failure to catch the remaining culprits and failure of the existing form of punishment.”
The resource person emphasised that whether social offenders are from a political organization, a union or a government department, anyone who commits extortion or takes part in any form of unauthorized taxation or organizes a kidnapping must not be exempt from the rules of law and order. “Our law and order proceedings have shown an abject lack of commitment towards resolving the issue permanently… the absence of any severity in punishment reduces the gravity of the crime and only emboldens the offenders and prospective offenders.”
Further, the prevailing situation, be it social, political or cultural in nature is only aiding the problem. “There are a lot of individuals taking advantage of the Naga political movement and resorting to kidnapping and extortion and other violent means for their personal gain”, he said.
The resource person also added that the importance of public involvement must begin within the family, across the community, spread in the towns and villages.
“We need to raise greater awareness about these problems; raise our concerns, discuss strategies and remedies by conducting campaigns and workshops for preventive measures among the wider general public and not just after becoming direct victims of these atrocities”.
The other speeches heard at the meeting today, all echoed of a call for fearlessly voicing out. N. Krome, member FNR remarked: “We all know what is happening but we are not doing anything… we’ve to come out to the streets, enough is enough.” He also opined a special anti-crime unit drawn from all the security agencies present in the state might work.
One of the speakers stated that the culture of obtaining ‘bail’ and the nil record of capital punishment in the state might be also one of the factors encouraging the spate of crime here. “The people are afraid to share information with the law enforcement agencies because of fear of reprisals, further the business community knows who are taxing them” but they keep quiet for this one reason. Amnesty International was impressed with this ‘nil record’ of capital punishment but on a local context it might be that it is encouraging crime, he posed.
MLA Hewoto Awomi, who demanded an assurance from the Home Minister in the meeting itself, called for a return to family values and introspecting within one’s self. “The solution is we’ve to correct ourselves.” On the more practical front, he demanded government investment in anti-crime technology and deployment of more undercover policemen. Further, rivalry between businessmen is also a contributing factor, he said. On his demand, the Home Minister had to speak a second time. Imchen though played it safe by assuring his commitment that whatever was deliberated at the meeting “we (government) will provide all possible assistance.”
Despite mounting criticisms against the police, the SP Dimapur acknowledged the failings of the police set up. Calling for wholehearted cooperation from the public he said: “I have to go back and tell my men that we policemen have t o be clean.” ADC S. Khro, on behalf of the district administration said: “I want to make every member of the community stakeholders to bring about a change in the scenario of Dmapur.”
Meanwhile, the second session of the seminar deliberated at length on one of the most heinous crimes – Rape – after the resource person, Liangsi Niumai John, advocate, presented her paper “Rape: Its evils and causes, legal remedies and preventive measures.”
Liangsi in her opening remarks quoted Justice Arjit Pasayat’s comment on rape: “While a murderer destroys the physical frame of the victim, a rapist degrades and defiles the soul of helpless female.”
She said that though research has been done to find specific biological or personal reasons as to why men commit rape, nothing concrete has emerged. However, it is important to understand the contributing factors and causes of rape, she said.
Some of the contributing factors and causes (according to psychologists and researchers) include lust, economic, expression of disempowerment, traumatic childhood and traditional gender roles prescribing female submission and male domination.
Liangsi said that as per latest statistics (2008), in India there are 2.45 rapes committed every hour.
She also said that though recent statistical reports show that Nagaland ranks lowest among the states in rape cases, yet the number of unreported cases may be worrisome.
Dwelling on legal remedies, she said that while justice prides herself on being to everything but the truth, yet as far as rape is concerned, the facts paint a different picture and observed that rape laws in India are extremely antiquated (obsolete or old fashioned).
Later, in the public discussion, the panel of experts, representatives from a cross section of society, civil societies and also police gave their views and suggestions on how to check the growing menace of rape in Dimapur.
Among others, the ineffectiveness of Naga customary laws to deal with rape cases was also deliberated.
Some were of the view that participation of women in decision making bodies, strengthening of family value system, Nagas forgiving and complacent attitude towards migrants, decent dress code were also important peripheries while addressing the issue of rape.
Dr. Anungla Aier, Department of Anthropology, Kohima Science College, was the moderator of the afternoon session.
President of Naga Council Dimapur, Savi Liegise informed that the panel of experts has been given two days time to draft a resolution/recommendation based on the outcome of the public discussion, to be forwarded to the state government.
Dimapur | October 1
“Dimapur is bleeding but Dimapur is not going to the hospital… Dimapurians will have to stop the bleeding.” This was the opening remark of Dr. PS Lorin, Principal Tetso College, who presented a paper titled - ‘Extortion, unauthorized taxation, kidnapping, law & order problems plaguing Dimapur: causes, preventive measures & laws to stem the menace’ at the public seminar called by the Dimapur district administration and frontal civil society organizations on Saturday, October 1. The conclave was organized chiefly to take stock of the ever increasing crime rate of Dimapur.
“We raise our voice today against extortion, kidnapping and illegal taxation because we find every other person or member(s) of an organization, a union or government department taking equal participation in extortion and unauthorized taxation.” Commenting on the number of arrests by the law enforcement agencies, based on the daily news reports, as regards the aforementioned crimes, he said that it brings to light two important issues: “Failure to catch the remaining culprits and failure of the existing form of punishment.”
The resource person emphasised that whether social offenders are from a political organization, a union or a government department, anyone who commits extortion or takes part in any form of unauthorized taxation or organizes a kidnapping must not be exempt from the rules of law and order. “Our law and order proceedings have shown an abject lack of commitment towards resolving the issue permanently… the absence of any severity in punishment reduces the gravity of the crime and only emboldens the offenders and prospective offenders.”
Further, the prevailing situation, be it social, political or cultural in nature is only aiding the problem. “There are a lot of individuals taking advantage of the Naga political movement and resorting to kidnapping and extortion and other violent means for their personal gain”, he said.
The resource person also added that the importance of public involvement must begin within the family, across the community, spread in the towns and villages.
“We need to raise greater awareness about these problems; raise our concerns, discuss strategies and remedies by conducting campaigns and workshops for preventive measures among the wider general public and not just after becoming direct victims of these atrocities”.
The other speeches heard at the meeting today, all echoed of a call for fearlessly voicing out. N. Krome, member FNR remarked: “We all know what is happening but we are not doing anything… we’ve to come out to the streets, enough is enough.” He also opined a special anti-crime unit drawn from all the security agencies present in the state might work.
One of the speakers stated that the culture of obtaining ‘bail’ and the nil record of capital punishment in the state might be also one of the factors encouraging the spate of crime here. “The people are afraid to share information with the law enforcement agencies because of fear of reprisals, further the business community knows who are taxing them” but they keep quiet for this one reason. Amnesty International was impressed with this ‘nil record’ of capital punishment but on a local context it might be that it is encouraging crime, he posed.
MLA Hewoto Awomi, who demanded an assurance from the Home Minister in the meeting itself, called for a return to family values and introspecting within one’s self. “The solution is we’ve to correct ourselves.” On the more practical front, he demanded government investment in anti-crime technology and deployment of more undercover policemen. Further, rivalry between businessmen is also a contributing factor, he said. On his demand, the Home Minister had to speak a second time. Imchen though played it safe by assuring his commitment that whatever was deliberated at the meeting “we (government) will provide all possible assistance.”
Despite mounting criticisms against the police, the SP Dimapur acknowledged the failings of the police set up. Calling for wholehearted cooperation from the public he said: “I have to go back and tell my men that we policemen have t o be clean.” ADC S. Khro, on behalf of the district administration said: “I want to make every member of the community stakeholders to bring about a change in the scenario of Dmapur.”
Meanwhile, the second session of the seminar deliberated at length on one of the most heinous crimes – Rape – after the resource person, Liangsi Niumai John, advocate, presented her paper “Rape: Its evils and causes, legal remedies and preventive measures.”
Liangsi in her opening remarks quoted Justice Arjit Pasayat’s comment on rape: “While a murderer destroys the physical frame of the victim, a rapist degrades and defiles the soul of helpless female.”
She said that though research has been done to find specific biological or personal reasons as to why men commit rape, nothing concrete has emerged. However, it is important to understand the contributing factors and causes of rape, she said.
Some of the contributing factors and causes (according to psychologists and researchers) include lust, economic, expression of disempowerment, traumatic childhood and traditional gender roles prescribing female submission and male domination.
Liangsi said that as per latest statistics (2008), in India there are 2.45 rapes committed every hour.
She also said that though recent statistical reports show that Nagaland ranks lowest among the states in rape cases, yet the number of unreported cases may be worrisome.
Dwelling on legal remedies, she said that while justice prides herself on being to everything but the truth, yet as far as rape is concerned, the facts paint a different picture and observed that rape laws in India are extremely antiquated (obsolete or old fashioned).
Later, in the public discussion, the panel of experts, representatives from a cross section of society, civil societies and also police gave their views and suggestions on how to check the growing menace of rape in Dimapur.
Among others, the ineffectiveness of Naga customary laws to deal with rape cases was also deliberated.
Some were of the view that participation of women in decision making bodies, strengthening of family value system, Nagas forgiving and complacent attitude towards migrants, decent dress code were also important peripheries while addressing the issue of rape.
Dr. Anungla Aier, Department of Anthropology, Kohima Science College, was the moderator of the afternoon session.
President of Naga Council Dimapur, Savi Liegise informed that the panel of experts has been given two days time to draft a resolution/recommendation based on the outcome of the public discussion, to be forwarded to the state government.
