Dimapur, May 13: Despite serious allegations under POCSO and workplace harassment, IAS officer Reny Wilfred continues to hold a top post—drawing sharp criticism from the Rising People’s Party (RPP).
In a strongly worded press release, the RPP said, “The Rising People’s Party (RPP) questions the deafening silence of the PDA government regarding the Reny Wilfred Scandal, which has now exposed not just the moral bankruptcy of a bureaucrat but the rotten nexus shielding him.”
Wilfred, who is currently serving as Joint Secretary (Finance), has been accused of sexually abusing minor girls and harassing female subordinates. The RPP alleges that “Reny Wilfred, an IAS officer, credibly accused of violating minor girls under POCSO and systematically preying on female subordinates, doesn’t just walk free—he continues to strut through the corridors of power with increasing arrogance.”
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The party expressed outrage that instead of initiating disciplinary action, the government has “rewarded” the officer. “While common citizens face the full wrath of the law for petty crimes, this serial offender still enjoys unprecedented state protection—as Joint Secretary (Finance). So instead of initiating disciplinary proceedings against him by way of suspension, the state government has rewarded this bureaucrat. This is criminal collusion at the highest levels,” the statement read.
RPP also brought up what it calls the “Metha-Rio-Wilfred nexus” and questioned the silence of top political leaders. “Why is the initial complainant IDAN Chairman Abu Metha and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio remaining conspicuously mute? Is Wilfred’s immunity a quid pro quo for buried secrets? Who is obstructing the wheels of justice, and why?”
The party further alleged that “the stench of complicity reaches the Chief Minister’s Office when Wilfred openly boasted about being approached to topple the government, ridiculed the judiciary, and slandered the Nagaland State Women Commission (NSWC).”
Despite demands for action from women’s organisations like the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) and the Angami Women Organisation (AWO), as well as student groups including NSF and DNSU, the government has not responded. “The government’s shameful silence confirms only one conclusion: Rio’s administration is held hostage by this all-powerful bureaucrat,” the party said.
Taking aim at the NDPP, the RPP questioned, “Is this the PDA government’s model of ‘Women Empowerment’ and ‘Good Governance’?”
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The press release concluded with a warning: “The government is warned not to pursue vendetta politics against any of the women complainants in IDAN through termination of jobs and transfer. The RPP will be watching the issue closely.”
Calling the matter a sign of deeper rot, the RPP added, “This dirty episode exposes the putrid underbelly of Nagaland’s power structure—and it continues to grow. Sooner or later, this unholy protection and nexus must break.”