NSF office demolished by miscreants

Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 28

The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) office located at Naga Club Building, Kohima, was vandalized and brought to ground by unknown persons at the wee hour of May 27. The building also housed the office of the All Nagaland College Students Union (ANCSU, Kohima Press Club (KPC) and at least eight shops. The cost of property damaged is yet to be ascertained at the time of filling this report. Kohima Police arrived at the spot to take stock of the situation. 

NSF president Kegwayhun Tep, speaking to media persons said the Federation filed an FIR at North Police Station Kohima around 5:30 AM.

He said that the most unfortunate thing was that “we have been storing almost all the important documents of the NSF as well the entire Naga people,” which were suspected to be damaged.

Thanking the concerned authority, Deputy Commissioner and officers, SP/Additional SP and security personnel for their diligent efforts, he said “we have a complete trust upon the concerned authority that the culprits will be booked as expected and justice is delivered.”

“We are truly encouraged and inspired with the presence of the right thinking leaders and the citizens across, particularly Kohima city, for joining us and extending solidarity with NSF,” he also said.

Stating that NSF had a symbolic programme in front of its office though it was vandalized, Tep said, “we have reiterated the aspiration of the Naga people under our motto “’For Unified Lim and Glory of Nagas” by hoisting our flag in front of our office.”

He said that vandalism happened in the office of the NSF, “but as a student body, we feel that this has shamed the entire community” and after having consultation and deliberation, we are of the view that the culprits should be booked within 24 hours.”

For this, he said, the Federation had written to Chief Minister of Nagaland to ensure that justice is delivered on time.

“People may be of the opinion that with this vandalism our credibility and strength is question but in fact I should say that through this, we are more strengthened and never more united,” said Tep. He said that since the issue is in the hand of the concerned authority, “we cannot express nor mention any particular individual or suspect at the moment.”

Nagaland’s higher education & tourism minister, Temjen Imna Along, who visited the spot, said “By doing this, the miscreants are sending a very bad message not only in Nagaland but throughout the country.”  

People who did this are not fit to be called the citizens of Nagaland, he said. 

He said that NSF carry the aspirations of the Naga people in every sphere, whether it is political, economy or traditions and culture, heritage and future of the Nagas.

Condemning the act, Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio in a tweet said respect for private and public properties is fundamental in a civilized society. He appealed to all right-thinking citizens to maintain peace and harmony.

Deputy Chief Minister, TR Zeliang said no one should take the law into their own hands. There is a legal system in place and to take action based on our own personal judgment is wrong.  Appealing all concerned to be accommodative in their approach while finding ways and means to solve problems, Zeliang said such violent acts of vandalism will turn things from bad to worse. 

Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister, Y Patton said such acts undermine our collective peace. He also reminded that fundamental respect for both public & private properties underscores any civilized society.

Ultimatum to GoN to book the culprit within 24 hours
Later in the day, an extra emergency presidential council meeting of the NSF was convened today at Deputy Commissioner Conference Hall, Kohima. 

At the meeting, the house resolved to issue an ultimatum to the Government of Nagaland to book the culprit responsible for the vandalism of the common Naga Heritage Building which the NSF have been zealously preserving for the last 75 years, within 24 hours w.e.f  6 PM of May 27.

Failure to do so, the Federation shall resort to actions it deems befitting for which all the federating units and sub-ordinate bodies shall extend their fullest support, the NSF stated. It also resolved to protect the Naga Club building with the collective support of all the federating units and the sub-ordinate bodies. The house also resolved to expedite the process of rebuilding the Naga Club building.

“Every single Naga youth and student shall contribute towards the same for which the federating units and sub-ordinate bodies are delegated the responsibility to ensure the success of the endeavour,” the NSF stated.

Police constitute five member SIT
Meanwhile, the office of the Superintendent of Police, Kohima informed in a press statement that information was received by the police that a building presently occupied by the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) was damaged by unknown individuals on early Saturday morning.

In this connection, a case has been registered at North Police Station, Kohima under relevant sections of IPC. In this regard, a five member SIT headed by Additional Superintendent of Police, Kohima has been constituted to investigate into the matter.