Voice for women

Nagaland Women Commission which completes one year strives to ensure adequate measures for protection and dignity for all women in Nagaland.

The Nagaland Women Commission completed one eventful year. This Commission came into being largely under the initiation of the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and former Governor Shyamal Datta. The Commission was officially launched by the Governor of Nagaland K Shankaranarayanan.

Since assuming office, the Commission has been a voice for women and their rights reaching out to the districts, apprising the district’s administration, interacting with public leaders, women organizations, Hohos, NGOs etc. The Commission has been creating awareness about the provisions given by the government towards ensuring the liberty, rights and dignity of women.

Member of Nagaland State Commission for Women, Ellen Konyak met with the Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung, Ramakhrishnan over the suspected rape and murder case of one Akala, 9, on March 28, at Yimyu in Mokokchung.

Ellen Konyak said to have read about the news of Akala in the local newspapers and that she heard that the case was one of rape and murder. “So I came here to verify and to find out the truth. I came here to meet the concerned individuals,” she said. Konyak also stated that if rape and murder crimes are not checked, the society will get from bad to worse.  “This particular case must be resolved. Justice should not be delayed” she said.

Konyak also said the commission will continue to impress upon the authorities concerned and added that the ‘final fact findings’ of the case should be made known to the commission. She also assured that the commission will work together with the authorities until the case is settled.

“What has happened should not happen again in Mokokchung. Let this be the last time that such a heinous crime is committed in Mokokchung. If we don’t have the stain of this crime washed away today, the wound will never heal” she said. She desires that every section of the society cooperate to check such crimes. Konyak also warned the police that they should not delay with the investigation and that they should not be flexible. “On behalf of the women commission and the Naga women in general,” she said, “We want justice done in time.” “Justice delayed is justice undone,” she reiterated.

Meanwhile, the president of Eastern Nagaland Women Association (ENWA) Mokokchung, Lisepila Sangtam who also accompanied the women commission member along with ENWA Kohima president Theanglih Yanlem said to  have submitted a memo to the DC of Mokokchung demanding that the perpetrators of the ‘rape and murder’ of Akala be brought to book on or before April 6, 2008. “The administration assured us that they will investigate the case and deliver justice,” she added. The women commission member was also accompanied by officials of the Watsu Mungdang. Watsu president Subongla Lemdor said the five member investigation team that has been set up to investigate the case, comprise of competent officers and that they are doing their work. General secretary Imtila Longkumer also said that the Watsu Mungdang is extending their support and cooperation.

Meanwhile, Thrikyuse Sangtam, president of Alisopur Students Union, condemned the ‘rape and murder’ of Akala and said “anti-social activities to such an innocent student is intolerable.” He also demanded that the district administration and the police should take the case seriously and bring the murderers known to the public through the press. He also added that the government should provide compensation to the victim’s family. The Ao Kaketshir Mungdang and the Ongpangkong Kaketshir Mungdang are also requested to help solve the ‘problem’.

The Commission has also visited the state jails, hospitals, mental hospital, TB hospital, police stations and lockups in different districts. The findings and observations have been discussed and submitted to the government with request to ensure proper and adequate measures to be taken for the protection and dignity for all women and children in Nagaland.

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