ZYON flags lack of modern investigative facilities, announces agitation
DIMAPUR, APRIL 21 (MExN): Citing serious concerns over the lack of modern forensic and investigative infrastructure in Nagaland, the Zeliangrong Youth Organization Nagaland (ZYON) on Monday said it would announce an agitation later this week to protest what it called a continued delay in delivering justice for the victim of the April 7 murder.
It said that poor forensic capabilities have severely hampered the police investigation into the April 7 murder of a 35-year-old woman from Mhaikam village. “We had hoped that the Commissioner of Police and his team would solve the case swiftly,” said ZYON president R. John Zeliang, speaking to the media after a meeting with Dimapur Commissioner of Police Kevithuto Sophie Modany. “However, we understand the limitations they face due to the lack of modern forensic and investigative facilities in the state.”
ZYON had earlier put agitation plans on hold to give police time to make headway in the case. But with little progress reported two weeks after the crime, the organization now says it will resume its movement. “We will be holding meetings with our units and civil society organizations to chart the way forward,” Zeliang stated.
He said the state government must be held accountable for what he described as systemic neglect. “There is a glaring gap in investigative infrastructure in Nagaland. This is not an isolated issue—it impacts the broader justice delivery mechanism across the state,” he said.
Zeliang added that due to inadequate forensic equipment within the state, samples had to be sent outside Nagaland for analysis, causing further delays in the investigation.
“This is not just about the Zeliangrong community—it’s a human rights concern,” Zeliang said. “The way our sister was murdered is inhumane. We will continue our fight until justice is served.”
ZYON said its upcoming agitation will be aimed at pressuring the state government to immediately upgrade forensic laboratories, equip investigative agencies with modern tools, and take urgent steps to ensure that cases are not stalled due to a lack of basic facilities.
