KMH against transfer of former Noklak DC’s trial from Tuensang to Kohima

Tuensang, June 20 (EMN): The Khiamniungan Menyiu Hoikam (KMH) has expressed shock over former Noklak Deputy Commissioner Reny Wilfred’s appeal to transfer his trial from POSCO Court in Tuensang to the nearest court (Kohima), citing apprehension of not getting free and fair trial in Tuensang court.

The POCSO Court in Tuensang had earlier postponed the trial of the former Noklak DC in sexual misconduct case to June 21 after the accused failed to appear in court on May 24.

The former DC of Noklak was charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act on allegations of sexual misconduct against two minor girls at Noklak, after a formal complaint was filed on July 27, 2021 at Noklak police station.

The KMH, apex women organisation in Noklak headquarters, on Monday stated that it had no ill intention against the accused but “only pray for just trial without any external interference”.

‘The organisation has made numerous appeals to the court for justice and multiple requests to the government for disciplinary action against the accused but the pleas have fallen on deaf ears; rather the accused has been transferred from one department to another department,’ read the press release from KMH, adding that it has been made to believe that the state government is “in favour of the accused”.

“The KMH and the victims are in no position to submit to the transfer of case from Tuensang to Kohima,” it said. “The claim made by the accused is vague and childish. Court stands for justice irrespective of the location of the court. Neither the women organisation nor the community has made any serious threat to his life and to his personal liberty.”

“We strongly urge the government to provide Z security to the accused if he feels threatened but under no circumstances the case can be transferred from Tuensang to Kohima. The victims’ life and future is already jeopardised, mentally and emotionally tortured and threatened in many different,” it added.

The KMH had earlier staged protests demanding justice for the two minor girls, who were working at the former DC’s official residence as domestic helpers before they were allegedly molested.