Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) has clarified its position on the allegations of sexual harassment case in the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN).
In a press release, NSCW chairperson W. Nginyeih Konyak said it came to commission’s attention through reliable sources that allegations of sexual harassment had arisen within IDAN.
Accordingly, Konyak said the NSCW sought an appointment with IDAN chairman Abu Metha, and met him on February 27, 2025. During the meeting, NSCW chairperson said the commission received a verbal complaint regarding allegations of sexual harassment by IDAN joint secretary Reny Wilfred, towards certain female employees of the organization.
Later, Konyak said on March 19, 2025, NSCW received a forwarding letter of a complaint of sexual harassment at IDAN from IDAN chairman dated March 3, 2025 and through that letter he had sought counselling for the victims.
Upon receiving this verbal complaint, the chairperson said NSCW took immediate cognizance of the matter and an official letter dated March 5, 2025 was issued to IDAN chairman requesting the list of all female employees working under the authority.
In response, IDAN under secretary furnished the name list of all the female employees under IDAN. The chairperson said the commission as per the provisions of the NSCW Act, 2006, initiated necessary steps to hear the female employees of IDAN as per the name list furnished and thereby statements were taken at NSCW office.
Upon hearing the female employees and considering the gravity of the offence as stated by some of the victims, Konyak said NSCW filed a complaint letter dated March 17, 2025 addressed to DGP Nagaland for necessary steps to be taken as per the law. On receipt of the complaint letter from NSCW, the chairperson said PHQ instituted a preliminary enquiry by a lady officer of the rank of DSP.
On completion of the preliminary enquiry and as per the findings of the preliminary enquiry, the chairperson said an FIR dated April 2, 2025 was registered under the State Crime Police Station, PHQ, Nagaland, wherein the NSCW was made the complainant.
Further, NSCW chairperson pointed out that on February 27, 25 when NSCW received the verbal complaint, the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) under the establishment of IDAN was not properly constituted as per the POSH Act.
The chairperson informed that earlier a formal direction was issued by NSCW to IDAN chairman dated February 26, 2025, to constitute the ICC under POSH Act with immediate effect at IDAN – to address grievances of sexual harassment at workplace as mandated by the Act.
She said that by letter dated February 26, 2025, IDAN under secretary communicated two orders with regard to the appointment of grievance redressal officer (GRO) and constitution of ICC on the same date.
However, the chairperson said it appeared through the communiqué that GRO and ICC convenor were the same and one person. Therefore, she said NSCW again redirected IDAN office to reconstitute the ICC as per the provisions of the POSH Act.
Accordingly, by letter dated March 3, 2025, the chairperson said IDAN under secretary communicated to NSCW about the reconstitution of ICC on the same date i.e. March 3, 2025 as per the POSH Act.
On April 2, 2025, she said a letter was received addressed to NSCW chairperson from female employees IDAN, seeking legal advice and counseling for victims of sexual harassment.
Therefore, the chairperson said in response to their letter dated April 2,2025, the NSCW sent an invitation vide letter dated April 3,2025 for counseling and legal support on April 4, 2025.
The chairperson said invitation was addressed to all the female employees of IDAN so their privacy was maintained and their names were not disclosed. Accordingly, the NSCW chairperson said the service was provided as sought at office of NSCW on April 4,2025.