All Nagaland Taxi Association and Nerhema Krotho Chiephobozou Town condemn the assault of a woman passenger in Kohima and demand stringent legal action
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DIMAPUR/KOHIMA — The All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA) and the Nerhema Krotho Chiephobozou Town (NKC) have condemned the assault of a woman passenger who was allegedly attacked by a private taxi driver while travelling from Kohima to Chiephobozou on October 17.
The All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA) Headquarters Kohima on October 20 condemned the alleged attempted rape of a female passenger by a private taxi driver and clarified that private vehicles operating as commercial taxis are illegal.
A 28-year-old driver allegedly attempted to rape a passenger on October 17 while she was travelling in a vehicle from Kohima to Chiephobozou. The accused, identified as Ruokuotuolie Rüpreo, who was driving a private vehicle as a taxi, reportedly did not stop at the destination and forcibly took her towards Chiechama-Botsa.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, ANTA Treasurer Kelhoukhrielie Chielie clarified that private vehicles illegally operating as taxis are not members of the association. He stated that ANTA has encountered many private vehicles plying as commercial vehicles in Kohima. The association's action committee has conducted checks on such vehicles periodically and handed over the matters to the district administration and traffic police for further action.
"These unauthorised vehicles have been tarnishing the image of the genuine, hard-working taxi drivers who are serving the general public with honesty and dedication," the ANTA stated.
Condemning the incident, ANTA declared that violence against women is a serious violation of human dignity and human rights, adding that any form of violence is unacceptable and has no place in a civilised society.
"A crime against our sisters/women is not only a crime against humanity but also against the morality of our Naga society," the association stated.
The ANTA expressed solidarity with the victim and her family, commending her for coming forward and lodging a First Information Report (FIR) on the same day despite being traumatised by the ordeal.
The association called upon law enforcement authorities and all concerned agencies to conduct a thorough, impartial, and expeditious investigation into the case. It urged that the accused be brought to justice and that no bail be granted.
The ANTA also appealed to all sections of society to stand together to end violence against women, support efforts to ensure safety, justice, and dignity, and report private vehicles operating illegally as taxis to the association or the concerned authorities.
The NKC expressed deep anguish over the alleged kidnapping and sexual harassment and stated that such an inhuman, cowardly, and shameful act against a woman is an attack on the dignity of all women and cannot be tolerated in a civilised society, pointing out that it violates customary law, human rights, and the safety of women using public transport.
The NKC affirmed that it stands firmly in solidarity with the victim and her family, assuring full support during this difficult time.
The organisation urged law-enforcing agencies to book the accused under appropriate provisions of the law to ensure that justice is delivered and the perpetrator receives stringent punishment as warranted by law.
NKC also appealed to the public and all concerned not to disclose or circulate the identity of the victim on social media and to maintain peace.