Zeliang bodies slam bail for alleged rape-murder accused

Zeliang civil society organisations have expressed shock and dismay over reports that the prime accused in the alleged rape and murder of a woman has been granted bail.
A delegation comprising members of the Zeliangrong Youth Organisation Nagaland (ZYON) and Zeliang Students’ Union Nagaland (ZSUN) called on the Commissioner of Police, Dimapur, on Tuesday to convey their strong displeasure over the development.
It was reported that the prime accused obtained bail in the alleged rape and murder case of a woman in her mid-30s, whose body was found near Pimla village in Chümoukedima district on April 7, 2025.
Addressing the media after meeting the CP, ZYON president R John Zeliang expressed shock and disappointment upon learning that the main accused in the brutal case had been granted bail on July 21.
“We have been following the case from day one, pressuring the government and law enforcement agencies to ensure justice. Hearing the news of bail is both disheartening and unacceptable,” he declared.
The delegation first visited the court where they met the public prosecutor, who confirmed the bail status. Disturbed by the development, the team then approached the Dimapur CP to seek clarity.
Surprisingly, the police commissioner acknowledged that he had come to know of the accused’s release from the visiting team.
Raising questions on the breakdown of communication and accountability, Zeliang stated, “As per the investigation, the individual was declared the prime accused. Who is now responsible for allowing such a person to walk free? Is it the judiciary, the police, or the state government?”
He reiterated that their fight was not just for one individual but for the safety and dignity of all Naga women. “If we don’t speak now, when will we? Justice has not been served, and this silence is enabling more delays,” he added.
The organisations also expressed concern over the repeated delay of justice under the pretext of pending forensic and DNA reports.
ZYON and ZSUN leaders said they would return to their district to convene an emergency meeting with apex bodies and civil society organisations. They warned that if clear answers were not provided and justice continued to be delayed, the public might be forced to resort to stronger forms of agitation.
“This is not our first appeal. We called off previous agitations in good faith, expecting justice to follow. But today we feel betrayed,” Zeliang said, adding that past unsolved cases—some dating back 13 years—remained a blot on the state’s justice system.
ZSUN president Adaube Hiekha Hau claimed that the CP had assured them that he would seek the court’s bail order and act accordingly. “We are waiting for the official response. After that, we will chart our next course of action,” he declared.
The Zeliang leaders also appealed to the wider Naga community for solidarity, urging all to come together to ensure a safe environment for women in the state. “Nagaland is a Christian state where women are respected. Let us not allow it to become a state of impunity and unresolved crimes,” he exhorted the public.
They also criticised the lack of a functional forensic laboratory in the state, pointing out that delayed investigations had become a recurring excuse in serious crimes.