‘Award stringent punishment to rape accused’

Hundreds of women and activists representing various organizations under the aegis of Zeliang Women’s Organization, Dimapur (ZWOD) and Chumukedima Mothers’ Association (CMA) Tuesday staged a silent march in protest against the rape of a physically challenged girl on September 3 last in Chumukedima.

The silent march was carried out from Zeliangrong village Panchayat Hall to the DC’s office where the organizations submitted a representation to the deputy commissioner, the district and sessions Judge and SP Dimapur.

Demanding that the ‘rapist’ be given befitting punishment to deter others from committing such crimes, the organizations held placards and banners stating: “Enough is enough, stop beastly act against women; When will our homes be safe with silent tears, We ask for justice”; Don’t let me be the next victim; End violence on women” etc.

Representation signed by ZWOD president Ikiecule, secretary Twangaule along with CMA president Neibuno and secretary Zasivono said since the incident, the physically challenged victim has been suffering “indescribable hardship and pain.”

This brutal act against the “dignity of human life” was irreprehensible, said the organizations demanding that the authorities should not release the accused identified as one Phongpa Konyak.

¼ Asian men admit to rape: UN Survey
BANGKOK, SEP 10 (AGENCIES): One-fourth of Asian men admit to having raped a woman, according to a United Nations survey of six countries in the region released on Tuesday. In Papua New Guinea, some 62 per cent of the men interviewed admitted to engaging in nonconsensual sex, according to the UN study.

“The findings re-affirmed that violence against women is pervasive in this region,” said Emma Fulu, the main researcherin the study.

“And violence is fundamentally related to gender inequality.” The report, entitled ‘Why Do Some Men Use Violence Against Women and How Can We Prevent It?’, was based on interviews conducted in 2010-13 with 10,000 men and 3,000 women in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Papua New Guinea.