Police have apprehended two individuals in connection with an alleged molestation incident that occurred on June 15 involving a female passenger in a moving auto-rickshaw. The victim, who had arrived at Dimapur airport from Pune around 1 PM that day, hired a shared auto-rickshaw at 4th Mile, Diphupar, requesting to be dropped at a taxi stand en route to Kohima.

However, instead of heading toward Dimapur town, the driver and another passenger diverted the route towards Niuland. The victim, unfamiliar with the area, grew suspicious and repeatedly asked the driver to stop. According to reports, her pleas were ignored, and during the ride, the male passenger began molesting and sexually assaulting her inside the moving vehicle.

Despite her continued appeals, the driver did not stop even after passing Showuba. In a desperate attempt to escape, the victim reportedly jumped out of the moving auto, sustaining serious injuries. Passers-by who witnessed the incident rushed to her aid and took her to Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR) for medical treatment.

According to Western Sumi Totimi Hoho (WSTH) and Western Sumi Totimi Welfare Society (WSTWS), local residents managed to apprehend both the driver and the passenger, and handed them over to the Showuba Police Outpost. An FIR was subsequently lodged at the Women Police Station in Dimapur.

Police sources confirmed that one of the accused, aged 17, has been sent to the Juvenile Justice Board, while the auto-rickshaw driver has been remanded to judicial custody. Authorities have stated that they are currently unable to take a statement from the victim due to her medical condition.

Several civil society organizations from across Nagaland have strongly condemned the incident. The Chakhesang Women Society Kohima (CWSK) expressed deep shock over the assault allegedly committed by Adiraj Prasad alias Mughavi Zhimomi. Calling the act a grave violation of human rights, the group demanded strict legal action and expressed solidarity with the victim.

The Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) also voiced outrage, calling the incident a reflection of deteriorating women’s safety in the region. The union demanded decisive action from the authorities and urged the public to remain vigilant.

Similarly, the Western Chizami Union denounced the crime, stating it challenged the dignity of women and the fabric of society. The union backed the Sumi Hoho’s stance and rejected any misrepresentation of Naga identity by the accused.

The Western Chakhesang Youth Organization (WCYO) described the case as one involving sexual assault, kidnapping, and abduction. WCYO urged law enforcement to act swiftly and called on the Dimapur District Auto Drivers’ Union (DDADU) to sensitize drivers, especially non-locals, on professionalism and legal compliance.

The Western Chakhesang Mother’s Association (WCMA) echoed these sentiments, labeling the crime “premeditated” and stressing the importance of no leniency in such cases. They praised the passers-by who intervened and aided in the arrest of the accused.

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The Western Naga Youth Front (WNYF) expressed “deep outrage” and commended bystanders for their swift action. The group warned against the growing trend of non-Nagas misusing indigenous identities, calling it a “serious affront to Naga heritage” and urged the strictest legal action irrespective of the accused’s age.

The Dimapur Rengma Youth Organisation (DRYO) denounced the act as “inhumane” and urged police to conduct a thorough probe and deliver justice swiftly.

The Zeliang Youth Organization Dimapur (ZYOD) echoed these sentiments, calling the crime “barbaric” and demanded fast-tracked justice. The organization emphasized that recurring offenses by juveniles must be met with sterner penalties.

The Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) and All Sümi Students’ Union (SKK) condemned the misuse of Sumi identity by one of the accused. They reiterated previous community resolutions that bar non-locals from adopting tribal surnames and demanded immediate legal consequences.

The Tenyimi Women Union Dimapur called the incident a “cowardly act” and demanded stricter enforcement of safety in public transportation. Similarly, the Tenyimi Union Dimapur urged coordinated action among authorities and civil society to prevent such crimes in the future.