The Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) has condemned two alleged incidents of sexual violence involving a minor girl and a woman in Kohima district, urging law enforcement agencies to ensure thorough investigations and swift justice for the survivors.
In a statement issued on Thursday, NSCW Chairperson W Nginyeih Konyak described the alleged rape and exploitation of a 12-year-old girl by her biological father in Kohima as an “abhorrent and devastating violation of human dignity” and a betrayal of parental trust and responsibility.
The Commission also condemned the alleged kidnapping, wrongful confinement and sexual assault of a woman by a private taxi driver while she was travelling along a route in Kohima district.
It said the incident had raised concerns over the safety of women and girl students who depend on public transport for education and livelihoods.
The NSCW urged law enforcement agencies and judicial authorities to handle both cases with urgency, ensure thorough investigations and pursue the strictest punishment permissible under the law.
Concern over media reporting
The Commission also expressed concern over media coverage of sexual assault cases involving women and children, cautioning against publishing details that could reveal victims’ identities.
It said that disclosing specific details in the haste to report could expose survivors to secondary trauma, social stigma and serious privacy violations.
While acknowledging the media’s role in bringing crimes to light, the Commission said press freedom must not come at the expense of victims’ dignity, safety and legal right to privacy.
It appealed to print and digital media organisations, as well as digital content creators, to exercise restraint and sensitivity and comply with legal provisions safeguarding victims’ confidentiality under Section 23 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 72 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
“Protecting our women and children requires collective responsibility, strict legal compliance, and absolute ethical accountability,” the statement said.
