Photo Courtesy: nenow
Kohima: While Nagaland is often promoted as one of India's safest states, a wave of sexual violence is exposing the harsh reality behind this perception. Beneath the surface of traditional customs lies a culture of silence, where toxic patriarchy continues to shield perpetrators of abuse against women, children, and vulnerable groups.
Veteran journalist Monalisa Changkija highlights that these crimes are deeply rooted in social structures that prioritize control and dominance. She notes that the state's traditional claims of innocence are no longer tenable, stating, "The problem with truth is that, while it may take its time, it inevitably reveals itself in ways that were unimaginable just the other day."
Recent months have seen an increase in reported cases, including the horrific rape of a 14-year-old girl by three men and the alleged sexual harassment of a minor by a church leader in Kohima. In other instances, a woman was allegedly raped and murdered in the Peren district, and an 82-year-old woman was reportedly assaulted by a police constable. Despite these cases and widespread public outcry, activists point to a lack of urgency in justice delivery, noting that many accused individuals remain in positions of power while victims often face secondary victimization.
Critics argue that male-dominated institutions, including tribal hohos and churches, frequently fail to take a substantive stand against these crimes, often offering only perfunctory condemnations. This institutional inertia, paired with a slow judicial process, leaves victims without closure. As these cases continue to surface, there is growing pressure on the government to address the systemic failures that allow such violence to persist unchecked within the state.
Comments