Announces Rs. 1 lakh aid to Dimapur victim
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, JUN 14 (NPN): Akato-led NSCN/GPRN (R) president, Akato Chophi, has issued a stern warning over the rise in sexual assault cases involving minors in Nagaland, stating that the organisation would announce a bounty on accused persons who evade arrest or flee the state.
Addressing the media at Hoito village on Sunday, Akato Chophi expressed concern over the increasing incidents of sexual violence against minors, describing it as a “disease” previously unheard of in Naga society. He lamented that Nagaland, once regarded as one of the safest places for women in India, was gradually turning into a “dangerous state”.
While lauding Commissioner of Police Dimapur, Aotula Imchen, and her team for the swift arrest of the accused in the recent Dimapur child sexual abuse case, Akato cautioned that if the accused failed to receive appropriate punishment under the law or was granted bail, the organisation would be compelled to take its own course of action.
He further warned that if any accused fled outside Nagaland, the organisation would announce a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh to facilitate his capture.
He added that the organisation would not tolerate such crimes and would announce a bounty on rapists evading arrest, dead or alive.
As a gesture of support, Akato Chophi announced financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh through the Dimapur Eastern Naga Students’ Union for rehabilitation of the minor victim. He, however, clarified that no amount of money could compensate for the trauma suffered.
Responding to queries on two other recent cases involving sexual assault of Naga minor girls by non-Nagas, Akato said the organisation was closely monitoring developments and would act accordingly.
Meanwhile, deputy kilonser, ministry of Women and Child Welfare, Christina Lotha, also condemned the assault, saying such incidents must be collectively opposed. She reiterated that the ministry would take its own course of action if perpetrators were granted bail in future.
Deputy kilonser Among Ao appealed to mothers across the state to unite and speak out against such crimes, while strongly opposing bail for those accused in rape cases.