Serves 30-day ultimatum to declare FSL report
More than two thousand people, mostly clad in traditional and cultural attire, took part in a peaceful protest organized jointly by Zeliangrong Youth Organization Nagaland (ZYON), Zeliangrong Students’ Union Nagaland (ZSUN), Western Naga Youth Forum, and Zeliangrong Mipui Organization (ZMO), at Naga Shopping Arcade (Super Market) Dimapur, Monday.
The protest, supported by several Dimapur-based CSOs, student bodies and women organizations, demanded immediate justice for the alleged rape and murder incident at Pimla.
Addressing the gathering, ZYON president, R. John Zeliang, said the State government continued to speak about women empowerment but had failed to ensure safety and justice for Naga women.
“Tears of Naga women have shed enough. Naga mothers are not safe in our own land,” he stated.
Describing the present government as one of the weakest governments, John said it had failed to safeguard Naga women. “This is the bitter truth and we will not be afraid to say it out loud,” he declared.
John also questioned whether Nagas were expected to remain silent while mothers and daughters continued to live in fear, reminding that Peren-based CSOs, along with Naga CSOs, had been pursuing the case for five months but witnessed only lapses from the government.
He also criticized the government for spending crores of rupees on Hornbill Festival every year while ignoring the urgent need to set up a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in the State.
“The time to listen to the government is over. Enough time has been given. If we don’t stand together today, it will be too late tomorrow. It is high time we forget about tribalism and fight for our rights,” he urged.
Speaking on behalf of Naga Council Dimapur, councillor K. Francis expressed gratitude for the solidarity and asserted that every Naga should take a strong stand on the case. He lamented that the case had dragged on for five months without progress. “Five months is not a joke. It seems the State government does not give heed to the Zeliangrong people. This is not just a question of maintaining law and order but an invitation for trouble in Nagaland,” he warned.
Francis further added that the failure of the government to act on such a sensitive issue raised serious questions about its respect for women. He pointed out that if the government did not want to take up the case, it should come out clean. “If needed, we can go by the laws of Moses,” he cautioned.
Delivering a message, DNSU general secretary, Michael Kath, said the protest reflected the anguish and anger of the people. “We are here with heavy hearts, with pain words can barely express, and with anger that burns deep within us. A daughter of our land, a woman, a sister, a friend, was brutally raped and murdered. And yet, despite the brutality of this crime, despite the tears of her family, despite the cries of an entire community, justice has not been served,” Kath stated.
He reminded that the protest was not only about one individual but about the collective safety and dignity of all women. “This is about every mother who fears for her daughter’s safety, about every sister who wonders if she will return home safely at night,” he said. Kath demanded authorities bring the culprits to justice without delay, enforce accountability on those responsible for citizens’ protection, and enact laws that punish and prevent such crimes.
Solidarity messages were also delivered by deceased family members, ZMO president Apeuna Iheilung; ZSUN president Adaube Hiekha; Zeliangrong Baudi Nagaland president Wingam Nring; Western Naga Youth Forum convener (interim body) Aga Rengma and members from Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, Rengma Mothers Association, Western Chakhesang Youth Organization, Dimapur Ao Youth Organization, Diphupar Naga Youth Organization, Jalukie Kamdi Mipui Organization, among others.
Speakers stressed that the Pimla case was not only a Zeliangrong issue but a Naga issue, questioning whether women were truly safe in their homeland.
After the protest, members of ZYON, ZSUN and others met commissioner of police and submitted an ultimatum demanding declaration of culprits/accused and FSL report within 30 days, and setting up of an FSL in Nagaland. The ultimatum was read out by ZYON information and publicity secretary, Azubo Newmai, while the vote of thanks was offered by ZYOD president, Idizeung Reunim.
Peren bodies announce 30-day relaxation
In addition to the peaceful protest held earlier, the Zeliangrong Youth Organisation Nagaland (ZYON), Zeliangrong Students’ Union Nagaland (ZSUN), and Zeliangrong Mipui Organisation Nagaland (ZMON) have jointly announced that the ongoing indefinite ban in Peren district has been put on hold with effect from August 25, 8 p.m.
According to a joint release, the decision marked the beginning of a 30-day relaxation period following the ultimatum submitted to the government demanding the declaration of culprits and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report in connection with the Pimla rape and murder case.
The organisations said the move was taken in recognition of the discipline and unity shown by the people, which had amplified the demand for justice. While expressing gratitude for the public’s sacrifices, the bodies cautioned that failure of the government to act within the stipulated time would compel them to launch a “third and more intense phase of agitation.”
During the relaxation period, offices in Peren district will resume normal functioning, and government vehicles, inter-state commercial vehicles, and trucks seized during the second phase of agitation would be released, the release stated.