Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Kohima: Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Kohima on Friday to demand an end to judicial delays in sexual harassment and rape cases across Nagaland. Organized by the Tribal Women Bodies of Kohima, the rally drew a diverse crowd of women, men, and youth who braved heavy rain to march from the Old MLA Hostel Junction to Lok Bhavan.
The protest highlighted growing public frustration over the slow pace of justice. Participants pointed specifically to a sexual harassment case involving suspended IAS officer Reny Wilfred that has remained pending since 2021. The memorandum submitted to the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court also raised alarms regarding a separate April 2025 case involving allegations of sexual harassment at the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland.
Protesters carried placards demanding accountability and criticized repeated legal adjournments for undermining public trust. Neithono R. Sothu, president of the Angami Women Organisation and convenor of the rally, addressed the crowd with a firm message: "Women would continue their collective fight until justice was delivered and those responsible for crimes against women and children were held accountable."
Support for the demonstration came from numerous groups, including the Naga Students' Federation and the Angami Youth Organisation. The organizers are calling for time-bound, impartial trials and demanding that any public official convicted of such crimes face permanent disqualification from service. By pushing for expedited proceedings, the coalition hopes to combat a rising sense of impunity and better protect the security of women and children throughout the state.
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