Joint Council Forum condemns sexual assault of minor, demands swift justice

The Joint Council Forum comprising NST Colony, Churches Colony, and Middle Point in Dimapur has issued a strong condemnation of the alleged sexual assault of a minor Naga girl, expressing “grave concern and deep outrage” over the incident.

In a statement issued by Convenor Pikato Chishi and Secretary Omega G Naga, the Forum identified the accused as “Ali Mortuja, son of Abdul Latif, originally from Badarpur, Karimganj, and presently residing and conducting business in Dimapur’s New Market.” The statement referred to the alleged assault as a “reprehensible act” and described it as a “grave offence under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act” as well as a “violation of both the child’s fundamental rights and our community’s sense of safety.”

Calling for urgent action, the Joint Council Forum appealed to the law enforcement authorities to “carry out a thorough, impartial, and time-bound investigation and to ensure that the accused is prosecuted as per the full extent of the law.”

The Forum further claimed that “the accused may have exhibited concerning behavioral patterns in the past, raising serious safety concerns, particularly for women in the community.” Cautioning against the unchecked inflow of individuals with unverified backgrounds, it stated that “the growing presence of individuals with unverified backgrounds in Dimapur poses a risk that must be addressed proactively.” The administration was urged to “strengthen verification processes and uphold public safety through lawful means.”

Standing in solidarity with the survivor, the Joint Council Forum assured support to the victim and her family, stating, “We trust that justice will be delivered transparently and without delay in accordance with the Constitution and relevant laws of the land.”

The Forum’s statement comes amid rising concern among Dimapur residents over public safety and the need for tighter community and administrative vigilance.

MT