According to The Naga Republic, the victim was allegedly forced to sign a piece of paper admitting her ‘guilt’ by the Changki Village Council before she was beaten up. The all-powerful village councilsElections in Nagaland brings to fore the power of the traditional village councils, largely patriarchal by nature. In this scenario, village councils play a dominant role in deciding who the whole village should vote for. The village council is the principle organ of the village and functions under a chairman assisted by the gaonburas. More often than not, the village councils are wooed by the candidates with huge sums of money and gifts.

Source: Indian Express March 13, 2018 14:37 UTC