Show no mercy, hang rapists: Naga women

Kohima: A number of women tribal organisations in Nagaland on Saturday took out a protest rally here demanding severe punishment for rapists and those who paraded women naked in the ongoing Manipur violence. Condemning the killing of people, burning of houses and religious places in Manipur, they called for immediate intervention by the Centre in restoring peace and normalcy in that state. They held banners and placards, some of which read ‘We condemn parading of women and gang rape’, ‘Stand up for women rights’, ‘Stop the violence, start the healing’, ‘We want peace in Manipur’, ‘Rape is a punishable crime’ and ‘No mercy, Hang the rapists’.The women organisations who converged at the PHQ junction here were from Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Lotha, Pochury, Rengma, Sema and Zeliang tribes of Nagaland and were supported by Central Nagaland Women Association (CNWA).“A candlelight rally or punishment will not help to stop rapes. There should be a strict rule to punish rapists … They should be killed, hanged or burnt alive. They should be treated the way they are treating women. New and stricter rules have to be made to check the rape menace in the country in general,” CNWA president Atoli Sema told media persons. A special prayer was held for the victims and their families and for restoration of peace in Manipur. PTI