Demands age test on juvenile
Chakhesang Youth Front (CYF) demanded a thorough investigation within two weeks, into the alleged abduction and molestation incident on June 15, 2025, involving a moving auto rickshaw (NL-07FA-4980) driven by one Nur Islam and warned of further action if probe was delayed.
In a representation addressed to Commissioner Police Dimapur, CYF president Kevesa Khamo and general secretary Nokho Nyekha also demanded immediate and swift “ossification test” by a competent medical professional on the main co-passenger and the main accused about his age.
CYF maintained that if ossification test proved that the accused co-passenger was “in fact 17 years old” then he should be tried under the adult law through the Juvenile Justice Act 2015, which allows certain cases for juveniles aged 16-18 to be tried as adult. CYF said judging by the confidence which the juvenile accused committed the crime, it was clear he remains a threat to society if allowed to walk out free.
CYF demanded that the probe be undertaken with the following points, following a meeting with the victim of the incident:
CYF said the victim made it clear that the accused driver allegedly took the turn from 4th Mile junction towards Showuba “without asking of informing the victim (who had no knowledge about the roads). CYF said the victim also revealed that the co-passenger never informed her about the diversion.
In addition, CFY said there was no conversation between the drive and the co-passenger in front of the victim which it said indicated a “clear case of abduction and kidnapping” pre-planned between the two before the victim was picked up.
CYF therefore demanded that the driver be “tried for being complicit to the crime” and the case be treated as “abduction and kidnapping case, besides molestation, sexual assault, assault that caused physical injury and attempt to rape and murder.”
Further, CYF maintained that the victim disclosed that the incident occurred on Sunday afternoon and not what was reported in the media and there was no traffic or vehicle(s)parkjed on the side of the road otherwise, it would have made it difficult for the driver to immediately stop. CYF said that jumping from the auto was the only action that saved the victim’s life as the driver kept on moving despite being asked to stop multiple times.
CYF said the victim suffered injuries while jumping out of the auto and reminded that she was a young professional, trained and working in the hospitality industry to support her family.
CYF said the victim was trying to save her life by jumping out from the auto has caused a permanent scare on not only her mental health but her physical body including her face.
CYF said the scar has also stripped the victim of any chance of looking for other sources of income and away from an industry that she acquired skills.
CYF has demanded that the victim be compensated under Section 357 of the CrPC to undergo required plastic surgery in the event she wished to work in the same industry or acquire other skills if she wanted to.
CYF said it anticipated “proactive involvement” of the CP in the case and ensuring that the victim received justice she deserved and thereby ensuing the safety of women in the state.
Clarification: Apropos the news item “WTSU, WTWWS, WCH flay alleged molestation” published on June 18, it is clarified that the name of one of the accused, who was reportedly a minor, was inadvertently published based on the press statement issued to the media as the age of the individual was not mentioned in the statement at the time of publication.