Rights group seeks swift justice for minors amid rising sexual violence cases in Nagaland.
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DIMAPUR — Even as a string of sexual violence against women and children has left Naga society reeling, the Nagaland Alliance for Children and Women Rights (NACWR) on Sunday called for an immediate systemic overhaul to ensure swift justice to survivors.
In a press release, the NACWR expressed “profound alarm and anguish” over both the surge in crimes and the unacceptable delays in delivering justice to survivors.
“While one sexual assault case of a 14-year-old girl remains unresolved in court, two additional cases have recently emerged in Niuland and Dimapur districts. These new incidents include the assault of a 7-year-old child by an adult and the assault of a 16-year-old minor resulting in pregnancy,” it stated.
According to the alliance, the significant age difference between victims and perpetrators, coupled with the vulnerability of the children involved, renders the crimes particularly heinous.
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Maintaining that such crimes should not be viewed through the lens of religion, region or tribal identity, the NACWR stated that the incidents reflected individuals' disregard for the law and a failure of authorities to enforce existing legal safeguards effectively.
The rights group pointed the finger squarely at authorities, labelling the current situation a systemic failure.
It warned that when leadership neglects strict law enforcement, it directly fuels public outrage and erodes trust in the judiciary.
“It is the shared responsibility of every leader, authority, and citizen to cultivate a safe environment for women and children. This entails protecting every individual and citizen, equally and without delay.
“The escalating number of crimes against women and children is deeply alarming, and Nagaland risks being perceived as a state that tolerates violence due to its failure to act decisively,” it added.
Condemning the incidents in the strongest terms, the NACWR expressed solidarity with survivors and their families and demanded immediate investigation and prosecution of all pending and recent cases.
It also called for stricter enforcement of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and other laws protecting women and children, besides urging the state government and law enforcement agencies to take prompt measures to restore public confidence in the justice system.
The alliance further appealed to civil society organisations, community leaders and citizens to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards sexual violence and work collectively to ensure the safety and dignity of women and children across the state.