GUWAHATI: Hundreds of women, reportedly all mothers representing eight Naga tribes converged in Kohima on Saturday to collectively pray for an end to the escalating violence against women and the unsettling turmoil plaguing the neighbouring state of Manipur.
Dressed in their distinctive traditional garments, these women from across Nagaland joined forces for a protest held at the junction of the Police Headquarters (PHQ).
Amidst the gathering, prominent women leaders of the state expressed their frustration and condemnation towards the viral video that depicted the two women being paraded naked.
Slogans such as "We condemn the parading and gang rape," "Champion Women's Rights," "Halt the Violence, Initiate Healing," "Rape Demands Punishment," and "No Leniency, Hang Rapists" reverberated through the crowd.
A spokesperson of the protestors expressed to the media, "To the two women who endured the horrific ordeal at the hands of thoughtless and savage criminals, as well as to all those who have silently suffered abuse and violence, your pain is remembered. It's with shame that we acknowledge our inability to prevent such heinous acts. We extend our heartfelt apologies for the failure of our society to protect you."
The prayer rally, orchestrated by a coalition of eight apex tribal women's organisations in Nagaland – including the Angami, Chakhesang, Lotha, Pochury, Rengma, Sumi, Ao, and Zeliang Naga tribes – sought to send a resonating message of solidarity and resolve.
Atoli Sema, the President of the Central Naga Women Association (CNWA), delivered a resolute message during the protest march and stated, "Mere candlelight vigils, rallies, or nominal punishments cannot dismantle the rape culture that has entrenched itself. I implore the governing bodies of our nation to establish stringent measures to penalise rapists. They should face the same fate they subject women to – death, even burning alive. Unless new and stringent laws are instituted, the fabric of our society will remain unchanged, and the plague of rape will persist."
A representative from the Rengma Mothers Association addressed the assembly, proclaiming, "This is not the Manipur we recognize and hold dear. We retain the belief that peace is attainable in Manipur – not only attainable but indispensable. Nagaland's mothers earnestly entreat the people of Manipur to cease this madness. We urge them to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue as the true path to resolution."