Hundreds of womenfolk from different walks of life under the aegis of Lotha Eloe Hoho (LEH) staged silent procession denouncing the rape of a minor girl at Wokha town on Friday.
The womenfolk led by LEH officials converged at Police Point Wokha Town and then took out silent procession till deputy commissioner (DC) Wokha office where a memorandum was submitted to the DC.
In a delayed report, one minor girl was allegedly raped during the middle part of August. PRO Wokha police informed that medical examination confirmed the rape of the minor. PRO said two suspects have been arrested and kept under police custody for further investigation.
The memorandum signed by LEH president Zuchopeni Ezong and general secretary Loreni Kithan demanded that thorough investigation and award punishment to the perpetrators as per POCSO Act. LEH also demanded that the rapist should not be granted bail at any cost.
Condemning the heinous crime, LHE said that rape has reached an alarming rate in Wokha district, adding that such act was not a crime against an individual but crime against the society at large.
LHE has asked the law enforcing agency to take prompt action and demanded that no leniency should be shown towards the accused so as to deter others from committing such offence in the future.
DC Wokha Dr. Manazir Jeelani Samoon appreciated LHE for conducting the procession peacefully. He said rape against minor was a heinous crime and there was no place for such criminal in the society. Reminding that Parliament had recently approved amendments to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, DC said the penalty for rape against minor has been enhanced. He assured that thorough investigation would be conducted and take up the matter with utmost priority.
Seeking active support of the tribal and women organizations, DC urged LHE to immediately inform the district and police administration if such cases occurred in future.
Womenfolk from different tribes and others also joined the silent procession.