Correspondent
KOHIMA, JANUARY 23
HUNDREDS of people took to the streets of Kohima today, joining the silent protest march called by the Chiechama Women Society (CWS), to remonstrate against the brutal assault on a pregnant woman by one Nganuo Kelhoukreinuo Pienyü of Kohima village and her three male accomplices on January 17.The protesters, mostly women both old and young, gathered in High School Junction, Kohima on Thursday morning and marched through the capital town to the District Jail where all the four accused are being detained.
Protesters were seen holding up placards denouncing the brutal assault, some of which read “We condemn the heinous crime”, “We condemn the inhuman treatment”, “We demand severest punishment to the culprits”, “We demand justice”, “Punish the culprits” etc.
Upon reaching the District Jail, the protesters insisted that the culprits be shown to them. However, prison authorities and police personnel present at the scene reasoned with the crowd that their request was against protocol. They later proceeded to the office of the Deputy Commissioner Kohima and submitted a representation to him against the brutal assault meted out on a woman by Nganuo and her three accomplices – Ruokuokhozo Kiewhuo, Neikielhoulie Chatsu and Ruokuotuo Vimerha from Nerhema village.
The representation, jointly endorsed by Chiechama Women Society president Lahienuo Metsie-o and secretary Vikuo-ü Metha, contained a five-point demand that an FIR be immediately registered against Nganuo and the three boys for the barbaric assault and attempting to kill the victim and the child which she is carrying; that a non-bailable warrant be issued to all persons involved in the crime; that any person attempting to bail out the culprits be treated as partners conniving in the heinous crime; that the authorities declare the punishment to be awarded to Nganuo and her accomplices to the public without delay through the local press; and that the persons involved in the barbaric act be tried and awarded with the severest punishment immediately.
Following a brief meeting with a delegation from CWS in his office, the Deputy Commissioner Kohima, Honje Konyak approached the large gathering outside his office premises and assured the protesters that the district administration along with the police and the judiciary will ensure that the accused are punished as per law. He also announced that among the five-point demand of the CWS, the first three have already been fulfilled. He said all the accused have been arrested and chargesheeted and that no bail has been granted. The DC assured the crowd that the remaining two demand points will be seen to at the earliest.
Although no major scuffling arose, the protesters were initially not convinced of the official’s assurance and demanded that a specific number of days be affirmed.
The Angami Public Organization (APO) president, who was also present at the spot as observer, said the crime was something that does not belong in “our way of life” and all the right thinking persons should work together in guiding the people to walk in the right path. He appealed to the crowd to give the law enforcing authorities the time needed by them to prosecute and punish the culprits.
Meanwhile, the CWS members thanked all the people who stood in solidarity with the society and voluntarily participated in the silent procession to protest against the January 17 brutality meted out on a pregnant woman by another woman with three male accomplices. Another member said that the CWS has decided to wait as per the assurance given by the authorities, however, if no action is taken soon, they will rise again to reiterate their demands.
The protesters included members of Northern Angami Women Organization, Northern Angami Public Organisation, Northern Angami Youth Organisation and Angamimiapfü Mechü Krotho among others.
