By Felix Anthony
Kharsang, April 1, 2022: Youth and women organizations in the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh on April 1 took out candle light march to protest against the murder of a tribal girl.
The decomposed body of Ngnem Ngaimong was found March 30. She had gone missing 23 days earlier on her way back home. She was 25.
Thousands of people across the state participated in the silent candle light march to register their anger and press for speedy justice to the victim’s family.
According to the missing report filed by the victim’s sister, the victim had gone to meet her sister in Miao on March 7 and returned on the same day for her home in Panchun village in Changlang district, some 20 km away from Miao.
She went missing after she called her sister back after getting off the auto she was travelling.
The family’s search for the victim led nowhere and so they filled a missing report. The police started the search immediately and arrested two men on suspicion as they had the victim’s mobile phone.
Meanwhile, a man working in his field came across a decomposed body on March 30 and the victim’s sister identified it to be her sister.
Angry mob surrounded the police station in Kharsang and set police vehicles on fire, following the discovery. However, the situation was brought under control after assurance from the administration for a speedy trial and transfer of the case to Special Investigation Team.
Following the incident, several women and youth Organizations in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam raised their concern over the incident.
The All Tangsa Women Welfare Society led the candle march in Kharsang sub division attended by more than a thousand people.
Speaking prior to the march, the society president said, “We are here to demand justice for the victim and for the bereaved family. Incident of this kind is shocking beyond words. We demand speedy delivery of justice to the victim’s family.”
In the candle light march at Nampahi circle of Changlang district, organized by the All Changlang District Student Union and Namphai Youth Association, more than three hundred people participated braving the rain and bad weather.
Speaking at the conclusion of the march, Nothai Tonglim, the association convener, expressed his anguish over the failure of the police and local administration in cracking the case.
“It is sad that we found the decomposed body of our sister, even though the police station is hardly three kilometers away from the crime scene. We urge the police for a speedy trial and delivery of justice,” he added.
District Commissioner Devansh Yadav and Miao Additional Deputy Commissioner Sunny Singh too expressed their grief over the incident. They promised the victim’s family compensation and justice.
Candle light marches were also held in Miao, Jairampur, Changlang, Bordumsa, Itanagar, Naharlagun and several other places across the state.