DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 13 (MExN): In a shockingly repulsive episode, brought to light by the Pfutsero Town Mothers’ Association, a five year old girl (name withheld) was raped and left alone in an isolated jungle at Pfutsero on February 9, 2008. A memorandum submitted to the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Pfutsero by the Mothers’ Association revealed that on the fateful day, one Vebito Tazhu, son of Kuvecusa Tazhu of Porba village had taken away the five year old victim at around 4 PM from her mother. At around 5 MP, the child’s parents began looking for her but were unable to locate her, however at around 9 PM, one Nukhozo, heard the moaning of a child in a jungle and informed his wife about it. Nukhozo’s wife told him that the victim’s parents were in search of their daughter, so Nukhozo and another person named Ajo went to the jungle to look for the child.
Nukhozo and Ajo found the child crying, completely naked and ‘half-dead’ with her body bruised along with scratches of thorns and wounds and hardly able to respond. It was also revealed that the culprit, Vebito Tazhu had carried her to an isolated jungle, stripped her naked, rolled her clothes and threw them away.
He insisted the child to suck his private parts and when she refused to do so, he beat and forcefully raped her after which he left her alone in the jungle. The mothers’ association also stated that during police interrogations, Vebito Tazhu had admitted to raping the five year old.
In this connection, thousands of women and citizens of Pfutsero town took to the streets to protest the ghastly crime against the minor who was to be studying in class I, this year. The town remained closed, for the day including shops and schools, as the procession began at 7 AM in the main town where several members spoke out to condemn the act. The procession then, proceeded towards the Pfutsero ADC office to submit the aforementioned memorandum for awarding befitting action against the culprit, failing which, the Mothers’ caution that they would take their own course of action.
Confirming the crime and the reported admission to the crime, President of the Pfutsero Town Mothers’ Association, Kuthozulu Rose said that the women had even gone to the lock-up to see the culprit, but due to the sensitive situation, the police had sent the culprit to Phek jail. Saying that this particular incident was the first such incident in the town, Rose condemned the beastly act and added that “all our women are feeling very bad”. However, she expressed appreciation to all the people of the town for their immense co-operation, including the Town Council Chairman, who spoke at the procession meeting and the police for carrying out their duty very well during the protest.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Nagaland State Women Commission, Sano Vamuzo confirmed knowledge of the rape in Pfutsero and said that she had instructed the Pfutsero Mothers’ to send a written complaint to the Commission but it has not yet been received. Sano said that the Commission would advise them (the association) on how to proceed with the matter but added that it would need the help of the police, students’ activists and other organizations. In the meantime, it has been disclosed that the five year old victim has been isolated from outside contact and undergoing treatment in the hospital.
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