Morung Express News
September 26
Dimapur: Hewoto, Chairman of Henito Village, Niuland Sub Division, has come under flak for the press statement he had earlier issued wherein he had defended Vekheto, Head GB of his village by saying that the matter had been resolved by the Longwesunyu Village Council (LVC) for a price of Rs 1500. Vekehto has been alleged for the attempted rape and murder on Grace Khing. Retorting sharply to Hewoto’s statement, Chairman of the LVC Shoyhunglo Khing said, “(The statement) has been judged as the duty of an irresponsible and shameless leader supporting his GB Vekheto, who is of his own character.” He has further reminded Hewoto that the culprit himself had admitted to the crime. “Another Sumi GB Shihovi of Hojeto Village, who saved and sheltered the victim is another witness to whom the Longwesunyu Village in particular and the Rengmas in general is grateful to for serving humanity,” the LVC Chairman said. He has confirmed that the forwarded amount of Rs 1500 was not for case settlement as mentioned but was charged as Court Fee of the LVC while stating, “Hewoto’s statement which said that not even an attempt to rape was made is therefore baseless.” The LVC has further warned Hewoto to withdraw his statement and ‘confess the truth’ in the local daily, failure to which he may be held responsible to the case as a conspirator.
Furthering the developments, a statement jointly issued by the Rengmapani village Students’ Union (RVSU) and the Chogijun Range Baptist Youth Endeavour (CRBYE) while condemning the incident stated, “The September 15 incident shall be properly investigated and if Grace Khing is found guilty, action shall be imposed by and through the Chogijun Range Youth Union and if Vekheto is guilty, even the Chairman (Hewoto) shall be held responsible for his reckless and totally false statement.”
Meanwhile, the Rengma Mothers’ Association has unequivocally condemned the incident. “The barbaric act of the Head GB Vekheto Sema is a great insult to his own mother, wife and daughters in particular and the womenfolk in general,” a release issued by Grace Yhunshunle, President of the association said. “Irrespective of what we are, where we are and who we are, in one voice let us all condemn such a dastardly act which is defaming the good image of our people and our land,” it added.
