Some of those who voted YES had this to say:
• Yes strict punishment can stop violence against women. But first need to educate the Mass in Public. If they know the consequences of their actions then the rate of violence against 'woman will be slightly different.
• Yes, stricter punishment can stop violence against women in Nagaland. First of all most cases go unreported and we have always been tagged as the safest state for women but the fact that many such crimes are often swept under the carpet and settled through customary laws. This needs to be stopped. There need to be more strict and stern law to deal with violence against women in Nagaland. I believe much effort must be given to strengthen the law.
• Yes create a 'FEAR' and there should be no excuse for juvenile relating to this very case.
• Yes a very stricter punishment only could stop violence against women in Nagaland but only to some extent there may be many hidden violence women may be facing in remote. There is also need to educate time to time through churches, social societies. Though Nagaland is known dry state, alcohol consumption is very high in Nagaland. Many a time, alcoholism also plays major role in women violence.
• Something is better than nothing. Although there's a skepticism with regard to the reporting & enforcement part. Social stigma might discourage women, married ones in particular, to report domestic violence. Even if a woman complaint of violence, the patriarchal decision-making system would step in to conciliate it without awarding any sort of punishment or ultimatum to the accused man. Violence against women especially domestic violence is probably a widespread vice in Naga society occurring behind the door. While the national data may placed Nagaland as one of the safest state for women, but the reality paints a different picture as one intrudes beyond the Police FIRs and 'official' reports. The monster lurks behind the cloak of a phobia of social stigma and her tenacity to hold onto the family & courage to bear the pain and also her fear of loneliness of spinsterhood. Thus the vice persist incognito, hence the worst kind. Remedy or at least deterrence is not only desirable, but also warranted. Perhaps, one can also, for an instance, effectively sensitise general public and tribal bodies, and give more teeth to women bodies including state women commission. Also extend ancillary functions to that effect to self help groups. Lastly, but not the least women themselves must know her place and break the barriers and stand up for themselves. The only way to conquer a demon is to confront it.
• The dictionary defines women as an adult female person. The awareness and the capability to survive individually of an adult person (women) in Nagaland outside marriage owing to violence is quite nil as compared to being left as a widow. The underlining aspect in being an outspoken women with the awareness to stand for a dignified life owing to violence as compared to that of being a widow, society has taught us and developed our mindsets on how to live on the latter aspect only. When gender equality in Nagaland is still being defined and standardised by the males, stricter punishments defined by them and undertaken by them will naturally stop violence against women in Nagaland.
• There are five reasons for problems of women in India so in Nagaland: 1. Men don’t want to study or do anything in the career. 2. Liquor is main things they get drunk and fight daily. 3. Women are hard working. 4. Tobacco and rice beer full day like food. 5. No improvement in the state like roads, totally in shambles and militancy.
Some of those who voted NO had this to say:
• If we really want to stop or reduce violence against women, we also have to focus neutrally and equally on both genders (male and female-educate, awareness, etc. also, we cannot blame each genders - that is the main reason why lots of things are happening). See, the thing is that no matter what kind of problems, say like unemployment crisis, poor road conditions, etc a problem always takes a long time to solve. stricter punishment always turns up side down(more worst).say for example when a child is doing something wrong ,the parents scold the child in a loving manner, but if the parents scold in a harsh manner it gets worst(the child behaves more rudely.
• Create awareness so that neighbours or clansmen can voice out against or report as and when there is an incident of violence against woman. Nowadays, people think its “their domestic problem” even when their neighbours are "fighting". How to report, whom to report and how to resolve should be taught. Neighbours usually keep mum even if they know. This is also similar in cases of keeping children as domestic helps in pathetic conditions in some homes.
• As per my opinion, the fear of repercussions from the accused is what drives some few percentage of women to stay put without approaching any authorities! So I guess, it will in a way serve effective if implemented with stricter laws. But as mentioned in your recent news, most of the women in our Naga society often avoid telling others in fear of ruining their prestige, values and traditions.
• I don’t think so strict punishment can stop violence against women not only in Nagaland but anywhere around the world, we need to educate people about the impacts and consequences that one has to suffer mentally, emotionally .we need to teach and learn from one another about basic human values, to knock some sense of humanity, and basic moral respect against any human. Also, we need to talk more about the issue and stop social stigma.
Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say:
• Now women are not even safe at own house for the best way to stop the violence is educate the young one by the parents, elders or teachers. Lack of Knowledge lead to violence against women.
