The All Tribal Women Bodies of Kohima on Friday organised a public protest rally in Kohima demanding a fair, transparent and time-bound trial in the alleged sexual harassment case involving suspended IAS officer Reni Wilfred, while urging authorities to ensure justice for survivors and expedite cases involving crimes against women and children.
Following the rally, participants marched in a procession to Lok Bhavan, where they submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Nagaland, Nand Kishore Yadav . Through the memorandum, the All Tribal Women Bodies of Kohima urged the government and the concerned agencies to ensure a fair, transparent, and time-bound investigation and to facilitate the timely delivery of justice.
Addressing the gathering, Angami Women Organisation President and Convenor of the Rally Organising Committee, Neithono R Sothu said the rally was the outcome of several meetings among the tribal women bodies in response to the increasing number of reported cases of sexual harassment, molestation and rape in the state.
“We stand united with one purpose, one vision and one voice to support our sisters who have suffered molestation, sexual assault and rape and to demand justice, accountability and protection for the dignity and rights of women and children,” she said.
Sothu said the rally was not directed against any individual alone but was a collective call for stronger protection of women and children and for a justice delivery system that inspires public confidence.
Referring to recent incidents reported from different parts of Nagaland, she cited alleged cases involving minors, a church leader, a law enforcement personnel and a truck driver. She condemned the incidents and called for exemplary punishment in accordance with the law and the expeditious disposal of all such cases without fear or favour.
She also expressed concern that many incidents of sexual violence go unreported due to fear and the prolonged nature of legal proceedings. According to her, delays in the justice system discourage survivors and embolden perpetrators by creating a culture of impunity.
Focusing on the case involving IAS officer Reni Wilfred, Sothu alleged that he was accused of molesting two minor girls during his tenure as Deputy Commissioner of Noklak, with a case registered in 2021. She noted that while the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act envisages the expeditious disposal of such cases, the matter remains pending several years later.
She further alleged that another FIR was registered against the same officer in 2025 for the alleged sexual harassment of ten women employees during his tenure as Joint Secretary of the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN).
According to Sothu, although a chargesheet was filed, the trial has remained stalled due to repeated legal challenges initiated by the accused. She stated that applications seeking dismissal of the FIR were rejected by the trial court, the High Court and subsequently by the Supreme Court. However, she alleged that additional petitions continued to delay the commencement of witness examination.
She claimed that on June 9, 2026, when the alleged victims were prepared to testify before the lower court, proceedings were again delayed after the accused filed a criminal review petition before the High Court, resulting in a further adjournment.
Sothu also alleged that the women who filed the FIR had subsequently lost their contractual employment and are currently unemployed, while the accused has continued to pursue legal remedies. She urged the judiciary to ensure that cases involving women and children are heard without unnecessary delay, stating that “justice does not work like that” when survivors are made to wait indefinitely.
David Kire, who has been associated with the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), since its establishment in 2018, expressed confidence that the law would take its own course.
However, he provided what he described as background information on IDAN, where the alleged incidents of workplace sexual harassment are said to have taken place.
According to Kire, IDAN is a small department with only a few deputed government officers, while most of its workforce is employed on annually renewable contractual appointments. He said the lack of job security for contractual employees creates a vulnerable work environment.
Describing the department’s employment structure, Kire alleged that the authority to recommend the hiring and termination of contractual staff rests largely with the head of the department.
Referring to the case involving Reni Wilfred, Kire said Wilfred was posted to IDAN as Joint Secretary and Head of Department in 2021 after being transferred from Noklak, where he was already facing allegations in a separate case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Kire alleged that an incident of sexual harassment involving Wilfred was reported within the IDAN office premises last year. He further claimed that after one employee came forward with her complaint, several other women also reported similar allegations of sexual harassment.
According to Kire, the government initiated an investigation into the allegations, and after what he described as a prima facie assessment, the matter was sent for trial while Wilfred was placed under suspension. He alleged that despite the case reaching the trial stage, repeated legal challenges have delayed the proceedings.
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Kire also alleged that most of the women who lodged complaints, along with others who supported them, were subsequently removed from their contractual employment.
Appealing to civil society organisations and the public across Nagaland, Kire urged continued support for the alleged victims and others facing sexual harassment. He also called upon the judiciary to ensure that the case reaches its logical conclusion without unnecessary delay.
He said that repeatedly appearing before the police and courts can be deeply traumatic for survivors, particularly young women, and stressed the need for the trial to be fast-tracked so that they can move forward with their lives.
Shaan Khiamniungan, Vice-President of the Khiamniungan Menyiu Hoikam, Kohima said that power, position and privilege should never place anyone above the law.
“Power, position and privilege should not be above the law, and the law of the land should be equal for everyone,” she said.
Referring to the molestation case registered against suspended IAS officer Reni Wilfred in Noklak in 2021, Khiamniungan alleged that the matter remains unresolved despite the passage of several years.
She noted that under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, trials are intended to be completed within one year, but alleged that the case has remained pending for five years.
Expressing concern over the delay, Khiamniungan appealed to the government and the concerned authorities to treat the case with the utmost seriousness and ensure that justice is delivered without further delay.
Athsang Yimkhiung, Vice-President of the Yimkhiung Women Organisation expressed disappointment that, despite the allegations and the earlier case registered against Wilfred in Noklak, justice has yet to be delivered after several years.
She further questioned the decision to appoint Wilfred to a senior position in Kohima following the registration of the earlier case. According to her, he was allowed to continue serving in a high-ranking government post and enjoy official privileges while the legal proceedings remained unresolved.
Yimkhiung said the continued delay in the cases has raised serious concerns about accountability and public confidence in the justice system.
Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) Secretary of Information and Publicity, Pithungo Shitio, alleged that repeated legal challenges by the accused have delayed the trial and caused hardship to the alleged victims.
He also claimed that the complainants lost their contractual jobs while the case was pending and appealed to the public to support them.
Warning of further agitation, Shitio said the NSF would not allow Wilfred to enter the Nagaland Civil Secretariat if justice continues to be delayed. He further expressed his personal view that Wilfred should not be allowed to serve in Nagaland even if he succeeds in court.
Kohima Ao Telongjem President, I Moanungsang said no one should have to live in fear and stressed that sexual harassment is not merely an individual issue but a concern for the entire community.
He called on society to work collectively towards creating an environment where women and children feel safe, saying that protecting their dignity and security is a shared responsibility.
Chairman of the Kohima Lotha Hoho, K N Mhonthung Lotha expressed solidarity with victims of sexual harassment and violence, saying women must be respected and protected at all times.
Speaking at the public rally, he expressed concern over the increasing crimes against women and alleged misuse of authority by people holding high offices. He urged that no individual should exploit their position to harass others.
He also called for greater awareness through seminars and workshops to educate people about their rights and encourage survivors to report cases without fear. Stressing that justice should not be delayed, he urged the government to establish fast-track courts in all districts to ensure the speedy disposal of cases involving sexual offences.
Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) General Secretary, Vipu Zashümo said the organisation strongly condemns all forms of immoral activities and remains committed to protecting the dignity and safety of women.
He said the AYO stands firmly against those who abuse or exploit women and stressed that everyone deserves to live with dignity. Referring to the increasing reports of crimes against women in Nagaland, he questioned how such incidents continue to occur despite the state’s reputation as one of the safest places for women.
Expressing concern over the growing number of reported cases, Zashümo said the AYO remains vigilant and will continue to safeguard the people and the land. He assured that the organisation would always stand with and protect women whenever their safety and dignity are threatened.
A memorandum submitted to Governor Nand Kishore Yadav was read out by Sumi Totimi Hoho Vice-President Kavitoli Zhimomi Jakhalu on behalf of the All Tribal Women Bodies of Kohima.
The memorandum expressed concern over the prolonged delay in the sexual harassment case involving suspended IAS officer Reni Wilfred, alleging that repeated legal petitions by the accused had stalled the trial despite the filing of the charge sheet. It noted that the victims, who were scheduled to testify on June 9, were unable to do so after the hearing was adjourned to July 14 following a pending criminal revision petition before the High Court.
The organisations urged the authorities to ensure a fair and time-bound trial, maintain the accused’s suspension until the case is concluded, and permanently bar him from holding any government post in Nagaland if convicted. They also called for the speedy disposal of all cases involving crimes against women and children, stating that delayed justice weakens public confidence in the rule of law.
Earlier during the rally, Neithono R Sothu , President AWO chaired the program . The invocation was pronounced by Zajamo Odyuo , Associate Pastor City Church Kohima and the vote of thanks was delivered by Sierhetshü Phoji, Finance Secretary Pochury Women Organisation Kohima.
