In line with the party’s directive, to hold candlelight march at different parts of the country to protest against the Kathua and Unnao rape cases, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) also staged a candlelight vigil at District Congress Committee office complex Dimapur Friday. NPCC through its media cell stated the candlelight vigil was held over the issue of violence against women across the country, which it claimed continued unabated under the patronage of BJP government.
Speaking at the event, NPCC general secretary, Capt. G.K. Zhimomi, enlightened the gathering on the cases of violence against women that have rocked the nation. He highlighted the recent rape cases in Unnao (UP) and Kathua (J&K).
Zhimomi said that instead of delivering justice to the victims, the accused were shielded and the victims and their families have “borne the brunt of an indifferent government machinery.” Also, addressing the gathering, NPCC president, K Therie, said that crimes against “our daughters, sisters and mothers” have increased after the BJP came to power. State Congress president stated that people should also “keep in mind the doctrine RSS cadres adhere to discouraging marriage.” He said such cadre did not empathize with women and were largely insensitive to their problems. Therie said the nation’s daughters, sisters and mothers have been objectified under BJP’s rule. He said that criminals responsible for the atrocities on women were shielded while the victims were further victimized.
NPCC president urged the state government and civil society groups to raise their voices against the heinous crimes committed against women across the nation. Therie particularly expressed concern for the safety of Naga and north east women studying and living in different parts of the country and demanded that the state government assure their safety and security. The programme ended with a mass prayer for the victims and for the safety of women across the nation.