Mokokchung | November 6 : It was observed right from the beginning that the alleged rape incident that occurred on the night of October 10 last at Mokokchung was a unique case. Now the chain of events that followed the accusation took a peculiarly uncanny turn last night as the Mokokchung Town Chang Union (MTCU) admitted of their shortcoming before the Mokokchung Town Aor Telongjem (MTAT).
The two organizations in a joint statement, copies of which were made available to the press, stated that the “case is settled forever.” In a statement that was captioned ‘Settlement of case between Mokokchung Town Chang Union and Mokokchung Town Aor Telongjem’, the two bodies declared: “In the matter of the incident taken place between Bendangwapang and Yongmibenla on 10/10/11, the said matter has been heard today, the 5th day of November 2011 and during the hearing, the Mokokchung Town Chang Union admitted that the union has violated Ao customs and practices enforcing in Ao country.” The joint statement was appended by Chubalemba, president of MTCU and Chubawati, president of MTAT.
MTCU was fined a pig “basing on Ao customs and practices,” the statement further read. “The said fine of one pig is hereby accepted by the Ao Union. Therefore the case is settled forever,” the joint statement declared.
The meeting of the MTCU and the MTAT was held at the latter’s Treasurer’s residence at Tongdentsüyong Ward, Mokokchung, on November 5, Saturday. Earlier during the course of discussion between the two bodies, both were very vocal in their respective positions. MTCU strongly stood their ground on the matter and was of the opinion that it was definitely a “rape” case to which the MTAT disagreed. After deliberating at length, the MTCU were given time to discuss among themselves and arrive at a conclusion. Eventually, the MTCU acknowledged that they ignored Ao customary norms when the case in question involved an Ao.
At one point of time during the course of the meeting, the two bodies were engaged in a heated debate as to whether it was actually a “rape” case as alleged. The MTAT asked the MTCU to substantiate their claim by providing sound evidence, which the later failed to. Claiming that the ‘trial’ conducted by the MTCU on October 12 wherein the accused reportedly admitted his guilt was biased, prejudiced and held under threat, and therefore justice not delivered.
The MTAT asked the MTCU to call for another hearing involving all the individuals concerned, wherein MTAT would also bear witness of the proceedings. However, MTCU expressed their inability to meet the terms with the MTAT’s proposition. Mention may be made here that the alleged ‘rape’ incident that conspired on the night of October 10 also involves another Ao girl and a Nepali.
It is however not clear if the accused Bendangwapang has been exonerated and vindicated of the alleged crime he committed as the joint statement issued by the two bodies did not make any clear-cut definition concerning him. Nonetheless interesting, it is learnt that the two bodies agreed in principle to approach the competent authority for the safe release of Bendangwapang who is currently in jail “as the case is settled forever.”
To recap, it may be recollected that after the MTCU tried and accused Bendangwapang on October 12, the Eastern Naga Women Organization of Mokokchung (ENWOM) and the Watsü Mungdang staged a protest rally the next day during which the accused was paraded in public before he was handed over to the police. As a fall out of the protest rally, the apex Ao Senden suspended Watsü Mungdang on October 25 for “dishonouring Ao customary ethos.” Several tribal women organizations including the Naga Mothers Association, it is learnt, have written to the Ao Senden requesting it to reconsider its decision on suspension of Watsü Mungdang.
It may be also recalled that the various organizations accusing Bendangwapang claimed that Yangmibenla was a minor girl of 13. However, her actual age still remains to be corroborated and proved. Observers including legal practitioners have been expressing concern over NGOs taking law into their own hands ever since this particular case surfaced.
The two organizations in a joint statement, copies of which were made available to the press, stated that the “case is settled forever.” In a statement that was captioned ‘Settlement of case between Mokokchung Town Chang Union and Mokokchung Town Aor Telongjem’, the two bodies declared: “In the matter of the incident taken place between Bendangwapang and Yongmibenla on 10/10/11, the said matter has been heard today, the 5th day of November 2011 and during the hearing, the Mokokchung Town Chang Union admitted that the union has violated Ao customs and practices enforcing in Ao country.” The joint statement was appended by Chubalemba, president of MTCU and Chubawati, president of MTAT.
MTCU was fined a pig “basing on Ao customs and practices,” the statement further read. “The said fine of one pig is hereby accepted by the Ao Union. Therefore the case is settled forever,” the joint statement declared.
The meeting of the MTCU and the MTAT was held at the latter’s Treasurer’s residence at Tongdentsüyong Ward, Mokokchung, on November 5, Saturday. Earlier during the course of discussion between the two bodies, both were very vocal in their respective positions. MTCU strongly stood their ground on the matter and was of the opinion that it was definitely a “rape” case to which the MTAT disagreed. After deliberating at length, the MTCU were given time to discuss among themselves and arrive at a conclusion. Eventually, the MTCU acknowledged that they ignored Ao customary norms when the case in question involved an Ao.
At one point of time during the course of the meeting, the two bodies were engaged in a heated debate as to whether it was actually a “rape” case as alleged. The MTAT asked the MTCU to substantiate their claim by providing sound evidence, which the later failed to. Claiming that the ‘trial’ conducted by the MTCU on October 12 wherein the accused reportedly admitted his guilt was biased, prejudiced and held under threat, and therefore justice not delivered.
The MTAT asked the MTCU to call for another hearing involving all the individuals concerned, wherein MTAT would also bear witness of the proceedings. However, MTCU expressed their inability to meet the terms with the MTAT’s proposition. Mention may be made here that the alleged ‘rape’ incident that conspired on the night of October 10 also involves another Ao girl and a Nepali.
It is however not clear if the accused Bendangwapang has been exonerated and vindicated of the alleged crime he committed as the joint statement issued by the two bodies did not make any clear-cut definition concerning him. Nonetheless interesting, it is learnt that the two bodies agreed in principle to approach the competent authority for the safe release of Bendangwapang who is currently in jail “as the case is settled forever.”
To recap, it may be recollected that after the MTCU tried and accused Bendangwapang on October 12, the Eastern Naga Women Organization of Mokokchung (ENWOM) and the Watsü Mungdang staged a protest rally the next day during which the accused was paraded in public before he was handed over to the police. As a fall out of the protest rally, the apex Ao Senden suspended Watsü Mungdang on October 25 for “dishonouring Ao customary ethos.” Several tribal women organizations including the Naga Mothers Association, it is learnt, have written to the Ao Senden requesting it to reconsider its decision on suspension of Watsü Mungdang.
It may be also recalled that the various organizations accusing Bendangwapang claimed that Yangmibenla was a minor girl of 13. However, her actual age still remains to be corroborated and proved. Observers including legal practitioners have been expressing concern over NGOs taking law into their own hands ever since this particular case surfaced.
