Neotan: A village in the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh celebrated the birthday of Blessed Virgin Mary on Tuesday by organizing a candlelight procession in solidarity of a young woman who was raped and murdered two weeks ago.
The family and friends of Thuking Thikhak, the victim, joined the procession in Neotan, a village in Changlang District.
She was raped and murdered on August 29.
The whole village turned up for the procession with candle light and placards, praying for the repose of the victim and pressing for justice.
Tiny children at the candlelight procession“We are very saddened by what is happening to our children these days. The number of crimes against women is on the rise and it makes us frightened day by day,” said Likhro Mossang, president of the Women Commission of Miao diocese that covers the district.
She said the entire village came together to express its solidarity with the family and friends of Miss Tikhak. “We pray such heinous crimes against our children do not occur again. At the same time we demand strongest punishment for the culprits,” she added.
The procession started from the Newman School ground, went through the villages and came to conclude in the parish church. “As we celebrate the Birthday of Mother Mary, we dedicate all our children to our Mother Mary that She may protect and keep all daughters safe from every harm,” said Fr. Felix Anthony, the school principal at the end of the procession.