Calls for due process and Prohibition enforcement
Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 3
The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) issued an official response to the controversy surrounding one of its executives. An FIR was registered by the police on July 2 against its Finance Secretary, Katho P Awomi following a June 30 incident in Dimapur involving Awomi and Tito Yepthomi, President of the Dimapur Restaurant Union. The FIR was filed by Yepthomi. The allegation included vandalism and alleged demand for monetary tributes from affiliates of the restaurant union.
In a press statement issued on July 3, the NSF, while condemning the acts of vandalism, denied the allegations of extortion, and instead called for the enforcement of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act.
The response follows widely circulated CCTV footage showing the NSF Finance Secretary allegedly vandalising the bar of a resto-lounge in Dimapur owned by Yepthomi.
The back story was allegedly unrequited request for monetary tributes from affiliates of the Dimapur Restaurant Union. As per a ‘Meeting Resolution’ of the union dated June 28, it had received a request for “financial assistance” from the NSF. As a “gesture of goodwill,” each affiliate of the union was asked to contribute Rs 5000 in response to the request. It remained unclear whether the specified tributes were doled out but things escalated and snowballed into the incidents captured in the videos.
In its statement, the top Naga student body’s maintained it “neither endorses nor condones any act of vandalism, intimidation, violence or conduct that is inconsistent with the principles and values for which the NSF stands.” With regard to the extortion allegations, it asserted that the matter had already been clarified by the party which levelled the allegation. It pointed to public clarifications issued by the owner of the resto-lounge, who is also the President of the Dimapur Restaurant Union, stating that the NSF did not solicit financial assistance and that any contributions were discussed voluntarily by the restaurant owners themselves.
It expressed surprise and concern over what was termed as persistent negative narrative against the student’s body, questioning “why attention continues to be focused on an allegation that has already been publicly clarified.” It further criticised what it alleged were attempts to “magnify the issue through personal opinions, selective commentary and predetermined narratives” placing the NSF in a negative light.
Regarding the physical confrontation and vandalism captured on video, the NSF stated that the sequence of events is currently being examined internally. It cautioned against premature public conclusions while the matter is under investigation.
“It would be improper and prejudicial, when the matter is under investigation, to arrive at conclusions based solely on selective information or public speculation,” the statement said. The NSF added that it would ensure all facts are “objectively ascertained before any conclusion is drawn or any action is initiated,” promising appropriate action through due process rather than “trial by media.”
The NSF also sought to redirect public discussion toward the legality of the establishments involved, raising questions about violations of the state’s liquor Prohibition law. According to it, “The central issue deserving public attention is the continued operation of establishments allegedly functioning in contravention of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act.”
It called upon law enforcement authorities to clarify what measures have been taken to ensure the effective implementation of the NLTP Act, asserting that the larger public interest should not be overshadowed by attempts to “sensationalise or mischaracterise unrelated matters.”
It also defended the funding for the functioning of the NSF. It said, “… Throughout its history, the functioning of the NSF Office has been sustained through the goodwill, voluntary support and generosity of well-wishers, former leaders, concerned individuals and organisations who have stood by the cause of the Naga students' movement.”
Furthermore, it invited anyone with “credible evidence indicating” the misuse of the NSF nomenclature, promising to take action “without fear or favour.”
The media, civil society, and the public were asked to await the verification of complete facts and refrain from disseminating what it held as selective narratives that could prejudice ongoing investigations.
