The Dimapur Eastern Naga Students’ Union (DENSU), with support from the Western Naga Youth Front (WNYF) and several civil society organisations, on Tuesday intensified its demand for a fast-track investigation and the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a minor girl in Dimapur. Representatives of the organisations gathered at the Women Police Station in Dimapur and submitted memoranda to the authorities, urging a transparent, impartial and time-bound investigation into the case. They also sought stricter legal action against those allegedly involved. Addressing the media, WNYF president Aga Rengma expressed full support for DENSU’s ongoing campaign for justice. He said the youth body stood firmly behind the student organisation and would continue supporting all legitimate efforts aimed at securing justice for the victim. “We give them our full support. Whatever demands and grievances they have raised today, we stand by them completely,” Rengma said.He stated that investigators should not limit the case only to provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. According to him, all relevant provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the POCSO Act and the Arms Act should also be considered during the investigation.
Referring to information allegedly emerging from the victim’s statement, Rengma claimed that a weapon had reportedly been used to threaten the child. He argued that the accused should face charges under the Arms Act as well if the allegations were substantiated during the investigation. “Whether the weapon was licensed or not, the accused must also be booked under the Arms Act because a weapon was allegedly used to threaten an innocent child and facilitate an illegal act,” he said. DENSU president Thongule Sangtam raised concerns over what he described as procedural lapses in the handling of the case. He also questioned certain aspects of the investigation and demanded that the accused’s mother and elder sister be questioned. According to Sangtam, the alleged abuse reportedly continued over an extended period in the same household. He argued that all individuals who may have had knowledge of the alleged incidents should be examined as part of the investigation. “The crime allegedly took place in her own house over a long period. Why did she remain silent? Concealing a crime is equally wrong,” he said. The student organisation also demanded the arrest and questioning of a third accused, maintaining that any act amounting to molestation of a minor falls within the scope of the POCSO Act and must be thoroughly investigated.
DENSU opposed any possibility of bail being granted to the accused on medical grounds and warned that it would intensify its protest if such relief was granted. “If bail is granted, we will return to the streets in even greater numbers,” Sangtam said. He further claimed that the victim was facing severe psychological distress and continued to struggle despite receiving counselling support. Calling for urgent action, he stressed the need for a sensitive and speedy investigation. The organisation demanded that the proposed SIT be headed by an officer not below the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) or Inspector General (IG). It also sought direct monitoring of the investigation by Nagaland Director General of Police Rupin Sharma. “Our demand is clear: there should be no procedural lapses and the case must be resolved swiftly through a fast-track process,” Sangtam said. DENSU general secretary Sharen Shiu reiterated the demand for a detailed investigation into the role of the accused’s mother. He also alleged that the victim had been made to remain in the same environment where the abuse reportedly took place.
