Dimapur: Those lynched Farid Khan must be brought to justice, says Amnesty International India

It said those who lynched the man must be brought to justice urgently.

"This is a serious lapse in the criminal justice system,” said Shemeer Babu, Amnesty International India’s Programmes Director. “The Nagaland government, which is probing this gruesome incident, must ensure that every person who was part of the mob is brought to justice. Failure to do so will send the message that anyone can commit outrageous abuses and attempt to justify them as an expression of public anger," Amnesty International India said in a statement.

“Nagaland authorities must uphold the rule of law. Violence against women needs to be tackled with swift and effective responses from the state, not with barbarism by self appointed vigilantes," it said.

Meanwhile, prohibitory orders continued in Nagaland's commercial town of Dimapur for the second day on Saturday.

Admitting to administrative lapses, Chief Minister TR Zeliang has said relaxing Section 144 in the area was a mistake.

On Friday, several thousand people broke open two gates of the central jail, dragged the accused out of the prison and paraded him naked before lynching him.

It was alleged that Syed Farid Khan, the  35-year-old second hand car dealer, had raped a 25-year-old local woman several times.

The Chief Minister said the situation in the area is now under control and additional forces have been deployed to maintain law and order. "We have instituted an inquiry into what happened. Any officer found guilty in the case will be punished. I agree that relaxing Section 144 in the area was a mistake. As of now situation on the ground is under control," Zeliang said.