A disturbing case of attempted rape and murder has been reported from Botsa village under Kohima district, prompting outrage from the community and renewed focus on the broader issue of rising crimes against women in Nagaland.
According to local leaders, as published in local news outlets, the incident took place on the evening of July 16, when a woman — a mother of four — was returning home from her field. She was reportedly ambushed in a secluded area by Khrietuolie Kense, a resident of Tsiemekhu Basa village, who attempted to rape and murder her at knifepoint.
Despite sustaining injuries, the woman fought back and screamed for help, drawing the attention of nearby villagers. The accused fled the scene but was later captured by the youth of Botsa after a manhunt and was handed over to the police.
The Botsa Village Council (BVC), along with its youth, women, and student organisations, has strongly condemned the attack. According to BVC chairman Kehouzelie Rio, and representatives from the Botsa Youth Organisation (BYO), Botsa Women Organisation (BWO), and Botsa Village Students’ Union (BVSU), the woman was pinned to the ground and threatened with a knife before managing to escape.
They stated that the survivor narrated the entire incident to villagers after reaching home. The youth, acting quickly, apprehended the accused from a nearby jungle. During community interrogation, the perpetrator reportedly admitted to his intent to rape and murder, and was then handed over to the police.
BVC and its frontal organizations have urged law enforcement agencies to expedite the investigation, ensure exemplary punishment, and resist any attempt to grant bail, warning that any move to undermine justice would be met with public resistance.
Broader pattern of violence and delayed justice
The incident in Botsa comes at a time when crimes against women appear to be rising across Nagaland, based on this newspaper’s review of recent cases and public statements by various civil society groups.
In recent months, organisations like the Zeliangrong Youth Organization Nagaland (ZYON), Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation (DAYO), and Western Nagaland Youth Front (WNYF) have raised concerns about delays in justice and administrative inaction in similar cases across the state.
For example, just this year, in February, a nurse was assaulted at Dimapur District Hospital. A chargesheet is reportedly still pending. In April, the murder of a young mother at Pimla, Peren led to widespread protests demanding for expediting the investigation. Allegations of sexual assault by an IAS officer, dating back to 2021, remain unresolved despite public outrage.
More recently, there were reports of an attempted kidnapping and molestation of a taxi passenger by the driver and co-passenger.
Civil society groups have consistently called out what they describe as a ”broader pattern of systemic neglect” in how gender-based crimes are handled in Nagaland.
Nagaland’s forensic system ‘grossly unprepared’
The need for timely and scientific investigation has become increasingly urgent in such cases. However, Nagaland’s forensic capacity remains critically limited, this newspaper has found.
According to statements made earlier this month by Superintendent of Police Mokokchung, Vesupra Kezo, the state’s only Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Dimapur is inadequate. He said that while police are mandated to file chargesheets within 60 days, FSL reports often take 5 to 6 months, creating a situation where delays can result in accused persons securing bail.
Further, in September 2024, the Nagaland Forensic Science Association (NFSA) had expressed deep concern over the status of forensic science in the state. The association pointed out that under the new criminal laws implemented from July 1, 2024 — particularly Section 176 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) — a forensic expert’s presence at the crime scene is now mandatory in serious cases (punishable by 7+ years of imprisonment).
However, as of September 2024, according to the Press Statement issued by the NFSA, the Dimapur FSL has no scientific officers or forensic technicians. No recruitment has taken place despite a government announcement in 2018 to create nine new scientific posts. Qualified scholars have aged out or taken jobs elsewhere due to the long delay. Samples often have to be sent to FSLs outside the state, causing further delays and potential degradation of evidence.
The NFSA, in the statement, warned that with the new laws in place, forensic labs may face an 8000% increase in caseloads, and Nagaland is grossly unprepared.
A call for systemic change
The Botsa community has demonstrated rare resolve and unity in standing by the survivor, capturing the accused, and demanding accountability. But the responsibility to deliver timely, lawful, and scientific justice now rests with the state government and law enforcement agencies.
This newspaper’s independent analysis suggests that unless forensic infrastructure is strengthened, recruitment expedited, and systemic delays addressed, many such cases across Nagaland risk being lost to procedural failure — leaving survivors waiting indefinitely, and perpetrators walking free.
Justice must not depend on community outrage alone. The system must work — fast, fairly, and reliably.