Peren orgs suspend indefinite agitation launched on Aug 19
Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 25
A conglomerate of Zeliangrong civil society organisations has issued another ultimatum to the Nagaland state government with regard to the unsolved April 7 Pimla incident. A 35 year-old woman was found dead in a suspected case of rape and murder in the incident.
Almost 5 months later, the case remains unsolved, while 5 individuals arrested by the police in the subsequent investigation have obtained bail. Among the accused included the husband of the victim, whom, the police said, was the main suspect.
An allegedly slow pace of the investigation has had Zeliangrong CSOs agitating for fast-tracking the investigation and bringing closure to the case. It has already witnessed a series of phased agitation led by the Zeliangrong Youth Organisation Nagaland (ZYON) and Zeliangrong Students' Union Nagaland (ZSUN).
On August 19, the ZYON, ZSUN, Zeliangrong Mipui Organisation (ZMO) and Western Naga Youth Front (WNYF) jointly launched what was termed to be an indefinite agitation. The scope of the agitation involved closure of all administrative and government offices, ban on government vehicle movement, and blockade of National Highway 29A to stop inter-state transport falling in Peren district.
Subsequently, on August 25, a public rally was organised by the CSOs in Dimapur in coordination with the other organisations, including the Zeliangrong Baudi Nagaland, Jalukie Kamdi Mipui Organization and WNYF. It saw the Dimapur Naga Students' Union (DNSU), Naga Council Dimapur, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, Rengma Mothers Association, Western Chakhesang Youth Organization, Dimapur Ao Youth Organization and Diphupar Naga Youth Organization extended solidarity to the agitation.
The ZYON, ZSUN and ZMO jointly issued an ultimatum to the Commissioner of Police (CP), Dimapur containing three key demands.
It included a 15-day ultimatum for getting and submitting the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report, and the declaration of the identities of the accused individuals from the date of receipt of the ultimatum by the CP. The organisations also demanded the establishment of a forensic laboratory in Nagaland by the state government.
They asserted that failing to meet the deadline will compel taking “recourse to higher authorities for redressal of the grievances and ensure justice is not denied.” In their words, “a third and more intense” agitation will be initiated.
Alleged police inaction and “undue delay,” according to the organisations, is “causing immense mental agony to the victim's family, apart from eroding public confidence in the fairness of the investigation and is also defeating the cause of justice.”
And with the 15-day deadline taking effect, the organisations also suspended the indefinite agitation launched on August 19.
Police say chargesheet filed, FSL report awaited
Meanwhile, in a press note issued on August 25, Dimapur Police stated that an interim chargesheet has already been filed before the court against an accused arrested on April 10, while a supplementary chargesheet will be submitted upon receipt of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report from an out-of-state facility. “The State presently does not have an in-house DNA division/expert,” the note added.
According to police, sufficient evidence was gathered during the investigation establishing the culpability of the accused, who allegedly committed the offence “in a fit of rage while under the influence of alcohol.” The case, registered under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, is presently before the court for framing of charges.
The police further informed that the crime scene was examined multiple times with the forensic team, leading to recovery of key evidence. The deceased was a daily wage earner engaged in selling vegetables, and her body was found near Pimla on the evening of April 7.
Additionally, the Peren District Legal Services Authority has processed the case under the Victim Compensation Scheme for necessary relief to the minor child of the deceased.
