Dimapur, July 5 (MExN): In a shocking twist to the April 11 Zunheboto rape case, the uncle of the victim has resolved to settle the case for a sum of Rs 25,000 with the parents of the five accused; including the main accused in the rape case. The ‘resolution’ was made by the uncle on May 5, 2009; however the matter has come to the notice of the public only now. The victim involved in the April 11 rape case as reported in the media earlier is an orphan and a minor.
The settlement paper, which was provided to The Morung Express by the Sumi Totomi Hoho (Zunheboto) president, K Atoli Sumi and the Dimapur Lizutomi Union president, Vihoshe Awomi revealed that the uncle of the victim, Kahovi Awomi resolved to accept a sum of Rs 25,000 to settle the case in accordance with the “Sumi Customary Law”.
Translating the settlement paper (which was written in Sumi), the STH Zunheboto and the Dimapur Lizutomi Union presidents (the village hails from Lizuto village, Zunheboto) the two leaders disclosed that that the paper states Kahovi Awomi (the younger brother of the victim’s father) as making a declaration that he is the “father” of the victim since the biological father of the victim is deceased. The victim was raised under his care since her father had passed away and the mother had since remarried.
Kahovi Awomi in the paper - as translated by the STH and DLU presidents - stated that on April 11, 2009, the ‘following persons’ Tito Kiba, Samuel, Thoro, Aloto, Mughaho’ took the victim on a ride and “later on it was found clearly that Tito Kiba” had “shikuputha (raped)” the victim.
“The crime could not be forgiven easily, therefore, I the father (Kahovi Awomi) according to Sumi Customary law impose Rs 25,000 for the cost of rape”, the STH and DLU presidents translated the document verbally. The document also stated Kahovi Awomi as declaring that the resolution he made ‘is the final resolution’ and that “in my generation” no one will open this case. The resolution was made on May 5. It was “witnessed” and signed by Kakihe GB, president Sumi Kukami Hoho, Asheto Kiba (father of Tito Kiba), Kahovi Awomi (the victim’s ‘father’), Nitovi Awomi (Town Council member), Ghovito (father of Samuel), Shitoli (mother of Thoro), Phuhoshe (father of Aloto), Thiliho (father of Mughaho). Interestingly the name of one STH Nagaland executive member was in document. However, the STH Zunheboto president and the DLU president asserted that STH executive member was not a witness to the agreement, and clearly pointed out that she had not put her signature on the document.
Meanwhile, legal experts based in Kohima asserted that the agreement or resolution reached between the victim’s “father” and the parents of the accused parents would have no affect on the criminal proceedings initiated against the five accused and added that due process of the law would be initiated against them and punished accordingly. The next hearing of the case is scheduled on July 10 in the court of the Additional District 7 Sessions Judge Kohima.
The president of the Dimapur Lizutomi Kuqhakkulu, Vihoshe Awomi also denounced the action of the victim’s “father”, Kahovi Awomi and termed his action as not according to the Sumi Customary Law but “misusing of the Sumi Customary law”.
