The Hindu : National : Naga protesters seek deterrent punishment for Kohima rape

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 10, 2005

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Naga protesters seek deterrent punishment for Kohima rape

Iboyaima Laithangbam

Close video parlours, say women activists

IMPHAL: Student groups and other organisations took out a procession from the MLA hostel to the Raj Bhavan in Kohima, Nagaland, on Monday, demanding deterrent punishment to Pezazoto Savino, accused of raping and murdering a teacher from Kerala on May 5. The demonstration was organised, among others, by the Naga Students Federation, the Naga Mothers Association and social groups.

It is said the victim, a mother of two, had been teaching for nine years in the Government school, Mezoma. She used to walk six km to school daily. The accused, a dropout, tried to attack her twice earlier. On May 5, he attacked her with a machete, raped and killed her and hid the body in a gorge. The villagers nabbed Savino and handed him over to the police. Student organisations and social workers are demanding capital punishment for the accused.

Third crime

This is the third sensational rape case in recent past in Kohima. Rape crimes are few and far between here. The Nagas do not take lightly crimes against women. In a midnight assault, a girl from Manipur's Ukhrul district was raped in a tourist bus by the ringleader of a looter gang in Nagaland. A strong protest by the people and the Manipur Government led to the arrest of the culprit. On April 15 a girl from Senapati district of Manipur was gang-raped and murdered by four Bangladesh immigrants in Kohima. The body of the girl, who was running a cigarette and snacks kiosk, was dumped in a ditch. Following processions and sit-ins in Manipur, the Nagaland police swung into action. Two culprits were arrested in Meghalaya and the others are still at large. Social workers and women activists told The Hindu that there was an increase in crimes against women.

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