Shillong, August 20: The North Eastern Hills Students’ University Union organised a Candle light vigil, showcasing their support for the victim of the Kolkata rape-murder incident. They also demanded justice as they marched together with a number of 600+ students from the Central Library to the NEHUSU office.
The vigil began at the Central Library on the 20 of August 2024 where the Vice President of NEHUSU, Riki Deiburom Rabon welcomed the students and thanked them for their support, after which, was followed by a speech by the President of NEHUSU, Mr. Sandy Sohtun.
Mr. Sohtun voiced his support for the victim and her family and condemned the heinous crimes committed against her. He uplifted the women in his speech and encouraged the men to show their respect and help protect women’s rights.
Following the speech of the President, the students lit their candles and marched towards the Nehusu office passing by the Administrative block of NEHU shouting slogans and raising their placards against injustice.
“We want Justice!” They demanded. “Justice delayed is Justice denied” as they marched with lit candles and powerful placards and slogans towards the Nehusu office.
They ended their march at the Nehusu office around 6:00.p.m and observed a 1 minute of silence to show their respect to the victim. After this, the Asst. General Secretary, Miss Eva Kordor Kharshandi gave a speech, questioning the fabric of humanity as justice was not served to the victim and her family.
She spoke towards creating a society of consent, “Without consent, defence is already weak as per Law” she stated and raised her voice against the crimes committed against the very person who worked to serve humanity.
After the speech, the President, Sandy Sohtun led the candle light vigil by first lighting his candle and placing it at the entrance of the NEHUSU office,after which, the other members of NEHUSU followed, giving the 600+ students the platform to do the same.
They lit their candles and placed their placards at the entrance to showcase their support and to give their voices to the victim’s families whose voices were unjustly taken from them.
The vigil ended with the vote of thanks by the Vice President, Riki Deiburom Rabon as he thanked the students for their support and commitment to demand justice.
