Dimapur, March 7 (MExN): Lending a painful backdrop to International Women’s Day, four minor girls from Pfutseromi Village who were sexually assaulted by three youths on February 24 came out today with a statement on what actually transpired on the fateful day.
According to the statement issued by the four girls namely, Akole Dienu, Wetshote-u Ritse, Menyietsho-u Kapfo and Menu-u Kapfo, three youths identified as Zebedee Vadeo, Kevelato Puro and Tewetso Dikha Khupfu attempted to rape the mentioned girls. Three of the girls somehow escaped the youths’ intention while one was raped. The statement said that it was about 3:00 PM when the girls were returning from Pfutsero with agriculture produce when the three accused drove by in a Tata mobile. The miscreants then managed to convince the girls that they would be taken to Pfutseromi. However even after reaching the village, the Mobile instead of stopping, took the four to other secluded locations on various pretexts and on one occasion forced the girls to consume alcohol which was procured at RD Block. The statement said that the youths threatened them at various times. Thereafter the vehicle stopped about one kilometer away from Kikruma, where the men attempted to rape the girls. However, owing to certain circumstances, they could not do so. Later, on reaching Pfutsero Gate, Zebedee dragged away Akole Dienu and raped her at a location below the road.. Kevelato also attempted to drag away Wetshote-u but the two other girls resisted for their friend.
Following the turn of events, when on the way to the village, one of the girls Wetshote-u in desperation tried to escape by leaping off the moving vehicle and in the process while sustaining serious injuries also lost consciousness. However, the vehicle did not stop and so both Menyietsho-u and Menu-u too leaped to attend to the unconscious girl. Later the three girls, Wetshote-u, Menyietsho-u and Menu-u reached the village only around 7:30 PM (It was added that Akole, who was taken away was raped repeatedly by Zebedee till the next morning).
The four girls in their statement appealed to all right-thinking citizens and NGOs to stand up for justice and against the abominable crime committed against the minors.
Meanwhile in a representation submitted to the Phek Deputy Commissioner, the Pfutseromi Village Women Society while narrating the course of events of the rape and subsequent arrest of Tewetso Dikha Khupfu stated that the womenfolk of Pfutseromi village particularly students were not secure. The representation issued by Chairperson Melhipezu-u Mero and Secretary Kerengute-u Kapfo while also informing that the two others were absconding, demanded that security be provided for safe movement between Pfutseromi village and Pfutsero village. The women society demanded the immediate arrest of the absconding culprits and appropriate action be initiated while requesting other socially-concerned organizations for support and cooperation for due course of action.
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