Christians in Diphu demand justice for rape victim

Our Correspondent
Diphu, May 2 (EMN): United Christian Forum (UCF), Diphu, organised a candlelight prayer vigil in memory of Sumila Ronghangpi on Saturday at Diphu town and demanded the authority concerned to deliver justice at the earliest.

Sumila Ronghangpi was killed after being raped on April 22 allegedly by father-son duo Prakash Bortathakur and Nayanjyoti Borthakur at Raha in Nagoan district, in whose house she was living.

“We the UCF composed of all Christian denomination living in the Karbi Anglong express our deepest condolence to the family of Lt. Sumila Ronghangpi who was murdered on April 22 by the merciless Prakash Borthakur and his son Nayanjyoti Borthakur,” a press release issued by UCF president, Rev. Dr. Solomon Rongpi, and the secretary, Rev. Premingson Millick, stated in a joint statement.

UCF has strongly condemned the criminal act of murder by burning alive and sexual assault meted to a 12 year-old girl and demanded befitting punishment to the culprits according to the law of the land. It also expressed disappointment and anguish for delaying the case which was supposed to be in the fast tract mode demanded by the Assam State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR).

“The culprit must be booked under section 4,5 and6 of the POSCO Act, 2012, Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, and section 79 of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, in addition to the Schedule Caste  and Schedule Tribe (Atrocities and Prevention Act) Provision of IPC as per demanded by the Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR),” the statement said.

UCF has urged the law enforcing agencies, the chief minister of Assam, the chief executive member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council to expedite the investigation process and deliver justice to Sumila Ronghangpi. It also appealed to all the social and student organisations in Karbi Anglong and Assam to continue the protest until justice is delivered to Sumila Ronghangpi.

UCF further urged the National Council for Women (NCW) of Assam and India to take up the case and deliver justice to Sumila Ronghangpi and her family.

CAP: Christians display placards during the candlelight vigil in memory of Sumila Ronghangpi in Diphu on May 1.

EHWF demands SIT against murder

Dimapur, May 2 (EMN): Eastern Himalayan Women Forum (EHWF) has strongly condemn the heinous crime committed against a 12 year-old minor girl, who was raped and murdered on April 22 allegedly by Prakesh Borthakur and his son Nayanivoti Borthakur.

EHWF alleged the minor tribal girl was physically, mentally, sexually assaulted several times. Referring to residents account, it claimed that the minor girl was pregnant and burnt to death to destroy the proof that she had been raped.

A forum’s statement issued by its convenor Maggie L Ralte has called upon the Assam government particularly the chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and the Governor Jagdish Mukhi to form special investigation team (SIT) to carry out fair investigation as soon as possible. It also urge the government to book all the culprits under Pocso Act within six months so that justice is delivered in the court of law.

It also urged the chief minister and the governor to pay special attention to the children from Karbi Anglong living in Nagaon district and start rescuing children under child labour and come up with more stringent laws.

The forum has expressed concern about the number of rape cases throughout North eastern states especially in Nagaon and the widespread pattern of violence against women. Quoting a reliable source, the forum stated that at least 5,000 children from Karbi Anglong are presently living in Nagaon district in towns like Raha, where they are made to work as domestic help.

EHWF is a network of women organisation working to the cause of indigenous women and children in Eastern Himalayan Region of North East India.