Our Correspondent
Mokokchung | November 8
The Watsü Mungdang today took to the streets in strong protest against the rape of two women last month in Mokokchung. The members of the apex Ao women's organization assembled at Imkongmeren Sports Complex, Mokokchung town and then proceeded towards the police point shouting slogans. They also carried placards, some of which read, "Where are you Police?" "Respect women's rights," “Women are partners, not toys,” "Preserve Ao Naga tradition of respect for women" and "Respect for women is self respect."
The protestors then held a brief meeting at teh police point' wherein they decided to place a memorandum of appeal to the Deputy Commissioner. Watsü Mungdang's first President Temsusola, Ao Baptist Tetsür Mungdang Secretary Temsula Lemdor, and Aoer Telongjem Mokokchung Town President Sosangmeren also addressed the protesting women.
The women were protesting against the rape of one Narokala of Kangtsung village on October 15 at Tuli, and the murder of Tajennaro of Mokokchung village at Kabayong sector, in the outskirts of Mokokchung town. A mass prayer followed the meeting after which the women proceeded to the Deputy Commissioner's office to submit the memorandum.
The Watsü Mungdang in its memorandum to the DC Mokokchung stated that as loyal citizens they were entitled to a voice in the administration of their own country. They strongly voiced that the women folk had been ‘heavily humiliated and assaulted by raping and murdered by the menfolk mercilessly in society and lamented that the administration of justice and its agencies were performing their duties for the sake of routine duty without due efficiency which are revealed, particularly in the recent rape and murder cases that occurred in the last 15 days on the month of October 2007 alone within Mokokchung district jurisdiction.’
The memo signed by Supongla Lemdor, President and Imtila Longkumer, secretary, Watsü Mungdang disclosed that on the night of October 15 at about 8:00 PM, one Narokala, wife of Supongmar, having three children was raped by a married man, namely Nukshiyanger, a father of two. Both the victim and the offender are from Kangtsung village, now residing at Ait Lenden ward, Tuli town, Mokokchung, the memo stated.
The Watsu Mungdang also pointed out that the matter had been submitted to the Police, Civil Administration and Village and Town authorities and the FIR has been lodged to the Police in due course of time but the accused is yet to be arrested by the concerned authority till the date of this memorandum of appeal. “It is pertinent to state that, on spot visit to Tuli by the undersigned contacted the Police, whilst it is found that the said Police are sitting beautifully without serious awareness to arrest the accused”, the memo narrated pointing out that rather than taking action, the police was maintaining that the victim was “not morally strong” and that the police was being “influenced by the accused” as the question of “morality does not arise in offence of rape”.
The Watsu Mungdang likewise disclosed that on October 30 another young and innocent girl namely Ms.Tajennaro age about 26 years from Mokokchung village residing at Sungkomen ward, Mokokchung town and who was living with her aged grand father Mr Supongtemsu Longkumer was raped and murdered and one Watilemba has been arrested in this connection and the investigation is under process.
“That the rape and murder issue were unknown is our society but in the recent past years the said offences are rampant and in almost all such cases, the administration of justice failed to convict the offender”, the memo lamented. In the present case of Tuli incident, the memo pointed out that the investigating agency failed to arrest the culprit after knowing all the identities of the culprit and that this “has shown the weakness of the authority in power”.
In view of the above facts, the memo appealed to the DC that the accused in connection of rape at Tuli town be arrested within 10 days counting the time from today the 8th November 2007. Otherwise, the memo cautioned that the Watsu Mungdang shall take appropriate course of action. As for the rape and murder of late Tajennaro, the memo demanded that the necessary trial be performed at the earliest and in both the criminal cases the accused be convicted with the maximum quantum of punishment as an exemplary action for the people in our society.
Copies of the memo were also endorsed to the Governor, Chief Minister, Home Minister, Chief Secretary, DGP, SP Mokokchung., Chairman Women Commission, Ao Senden, AKM, and Aoer Telongjem Mokokchung town.
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