DIMAPUR, JANUARY 6 (MExN): Naga Council expresses solidarity with Dimapur Gorkha Union calling for a public rally on 11th January to protest the spate of rapes and murders committed against members of the Gorkha community in different parts of the state. Naga Council in a press note stated that it was shocked at the series of rapes, including that of a 4 year old at a time when the country is up in arms against the rape of a 23 year old woman who paid with her life.
“The Gorkhas of Nagaland or anywhere in the country are peace loving citizens but the recent instances of murders and rapes against its community in the state is most blood-curling and at such times, Naga Council stands solidly behind the Gorkhas in their fight for justice; the latest outrage being the murder of a Nepali wife by one Salim at Kohima”, stated the press note issued by Ntsemo Ngullie, General Secretary and Vikato Zhimomi, Vice President of Naga Council.
The Naga Council stated that in these past few months there have seen unprecedented crime wave as such it called for extraordinary measures to curb crimes against women in Nagaland. Firstly, like the lawyers in Delhi who’ve refused to defend the rapists of the 23 year old woman, lawyers in the state are called upon to do the same, the Naga Council stated while appealing to the conscience of the lawyers notwithstanding their code of ethics.
Secondly, the courts are challenged to pass appropriate convictions which would act as deterrents to future crimes. Thirdly, the state should enact local laws to deal with crimes against women keeping in mind local conditions, the press note stated.
All tribal units of Naga Council including affiliated bodies such as NWHD, DNSU are requested to mobilize their members and express solidarity with Dimapur Gorkha Union by joining the protest rally at Clock Tower, 10 am, 11th January- without fail.
