DENSU, WNYF demand SIT, fast-track probe into minor sexual assault case

DIMAPUR : Dimapur Eastern Naga Students’ Union (DENSU), backed by Western Naga Youth Front (WNYF) and several civil society organisations, on Tuesday intensified its demand for a fast-track investigation, constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), and stricter legal action in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a minor girl in Dimapur.
The organisations gathered at the Women Police Station, Dimapur, where they submitted representations to the authorities and reiterated their demand for a transparent, impartial and time-bound investigation.
Addressing media persons, WNYF president Aga Rengma expressed full solidarity with DENSU and said the youth body stood firmly behind the ongoing movement for justice.
“We give them our full support. Whatever demands and grievances they have raised today, we stand by them completely,” he said, adding that DENSU was officially part of the Western Naga Youth Front and that the organisation would continue to support every legitimate effort to secure justice for the victim.
Rengma urged investigating agencies not to restrict the case to provisions under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act alone, but to invoke all relevant provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), POCSO Act and Arms Act.
Referring to information allegedly obtained from the victim’s statement, he claimed that a weapon was reportedly used to intimidate and threaten the child.
“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 alleged procedural lapses in the handling of the case and questioned certain aspects of the investigation.
He also demanded that the accused’s mother and elder sister be questioned, alleging that the crime reportedly took place over a prolonged period in the same household.
“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.
DENSU further demanded the arrest and questioning of a third accused, maintaining that any act amounting to molestation of a minor also falls within the ambit of the POCSO Act.
The student body opposed any possibility of bail being granted to the accused on medical grounds and warned that it would intensify its agitation if such relief was granted.
“If bail is granted, we will return to the streets in even greater numbers,” Sangtam asserted.
He also claimed that the victim was undergoing severe psychological trauma and was struggling with self-harm and suicidal tendencies despite counselling efforts.
Calling for immediate intervention, Sangtam demanded that the SIT be headed by an officer not below the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) or Inspector General (IG), and that the investigation be monitored directly by Director General of Police (DGP) Rupin Sharma.
“Our demand is clear: there should be no procedural lapses and the case must be resolved swiftly through a fast-track process,” he said.
DENSU general secretary Sharen Shiu reiterated the demand for investigation into the role of the accused’s mother and alleged that the victim had been kept under the same roof where the abuse reportedly took place.
Sharen also called for a probe into allegations that a firearm was used during the commission of the crime and urged police to verify whether the accused possessed a valid licence.
“This is a very serious matter. A gun cannot be used to threaten and abuse people like this,” Sharen said.
Appealing for broader public support, Sharen urged civil society organisations and citizens across Nagaland to continue supporting the movement for justice. “We will not back down until justice is delivered,” Sharen added.
Meanwhile, Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) president GK Rengma, who was present during the interaction, called for cooperation among all stakeholders and stressed the need to pursue the matter in a positive and constructive manner.
“So today, all of us together, by cooperating with one another, will take the work forward. We have taken this programme and this discussion in a positive manner,” he said.
DENSU leaders informed that representations and condemnation letters from nearly 50 organisations had been submitted to the Commissioner of Police, Dimapur. They added that several tribal and civil society organisations, including Chang organisations, were coordinating efforts to ensure that the case was pursued through a fast-track legal process and that justice was delivered without delay.
Further, DENSU said that the union, along with Naga Council Dimapur, would be submitting another memorandum to the Commissioner of Police (CP), and was also considering submitting a similar representation to the DGP.