Dimapur, April 19 (MExN): Several organisations on Tuesday condemned the alleged rape of a minor in Kohima on April 17, and called for stringent action against the perpetrator.
YUK & YWO Kohima Unit: In a joint press release, the Yimkhiung Union Kohima and the Yimkhiung Women Organisation Kohima Unit condemned the barbaric act of the accused Yankiuba, while conveying solidarity to the victim’s family.
“We appeal the law enforcing authority to take stringent action against the accused as per the provisions of the law and he should not bail out,” the release stated. It also appreciated the Chakhesang Students’ Union for timely intervention in the case and the District Police for booking the accused.
NMA: The Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) also issued a statement asserting that “Such ruthless and insane behaviour, targeting a minor girl child is intolerable anymore.”
It said that proper awareness programmes on safety of women and girl child were needed because “victims will carry this trauma for the rest of their life.” The NMA lamented that such social evils and menaces are “becoming a routine affair” and appealed to all sections of society to condemn and to be alert against such unsavoury characters.
It further urged the government and the law enforcing agencies to book the accused under non-bailable offence and not to release the culprit under any circumstances while appealing for vigorous punishment which should serve as an example for future references.
CMA & CWSK: In a joint statement, the Chakhesang Mothers’ Association (CMA) and the Chakhesang Women Society Kohima (CWSK) while condemning the rape, stated that it was “horrified at the way the perpetrator lured the minor and her younger brother on the pretext of buying them sweets, and deserted the latter in the middle of nowhere, while he took the sister and committed the monstrous, barbaric act.”
Stating that such a person has no place in the society, it appealed to the law enforcing agencies to strictly investigate into the matter and the trial court to not grant bail to the perpetrator under any circumstance. We also urge the court to expedite the case proceedings so that justice is not delayed, the statement read.
The CMA and CWSK called on all right-thinking citizens to condemn the heinous crime in the strongest of terms, so that the perpetrator is awarded befitting punishment as per the law of the land, and that it would serve as a deterrent to prevent such crimes in future.
It further expressed deepest sorrow and solidarity to the victim, her brother and their family.
CYF: Urging the concerned authorities to fast track the case, the Chakhesang Youth Front stated that the heinous crime “should be considered as the ‘rarest of the rare’ case and deliver justice as per the relevant section of the law at the earliest.” It also cautioned the concerned authority not to grant bail to the accused Yankiuba, until befitting justice is delivered. “Failing which, the concerned authority shall be held solely responsible for any untoward incident,” the CYF stated in a press release on Tuesday.
PWUK: Meanwhile, the Phekmi Welfare Union Kohima (PWUK) condemned the rape in the strongest terms and appealed to the law enforcing agencies to award the most befitting punishment to the accused. “Under no circumstances, the Union will accept any prejudiced and unsatisfactory verdict. In the event of any shortfall on delivering appropriate justice, the Union (PWUK) shall not be held responsible for any unseen consequences,” it asserted.
While sympathizing with the victim, the father and the family members who have suffered inhumane and intolerable physical and mental trauma caused by these incidents in the strongest of terms, the PWUK also expressed gratitude to Rüchühilo Semy, Vice President of Rengma Students’ Union for his quick and thoughtful actions reportedly found the victims brother and the Chakhesang Students’ Union for prompt and relevant action taken on behalf of the victims.
