Police remains tight-lipped
Awomi turns himself in
Yepthomi 'ex-communited'
Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 5
The row between the NSF Finance Secretary, now “exempted” from the role, and the President of the Dimapur Restaurant Union, Tito Yepthomi took a new turn. Awomi, against whom a police complaint was registered by Yepthomi, turned himself in to the police, while Yepthomi was banished from his village.
Official sources disclosed that accused Awomi turned himself in at the East Police Station, around 10:00 am, on July 4, and arrested, where the case against him was registered. What happened after the arrest, however, was unclear. One version said that he was placed under custody, while other sources said that he was released on bail after completing the arrest formalities. The sources said that his personal details, including finger-prints, were recorded. Following the incident, Awomi was stripped of his role as the NSF Finance Secretary till the matter regarding his actions is settled.
At the other side of the feud, Tito Yepthomi stared at a village ex-communication directive. As per the directive, issued by the Tsutoho Village Kukami Authority and released to the media, Yepthomi was “banished from the village membership and jurisdiction of Tsutoho Village for a period of five (5) years,” with effect from July 4, 2026. The reason cited was Yepthomi contravening “established customary practices and duly adopted resolutions of the Village Authority” allegedly on multiple occasions. It also held that the resto-lounge operated by Yepthomi in Dimapur was inconsistent with the provisions of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act.
The saga, which came to light on July 1, not only had the NSF in an embarrassing situation, but also brought into question, once again, the significance of the Prohibition law. Meanwhile, the police have yet to officially comment on the viral case.
The incident hit the limelight on July 1 subsequent to a confrontation between Yepthomi and Awomi the night before over allegedly unrequited request for monetary tributes by the latter on behalf of the NSF from affiliates of the Dimapur Restaurant Union. The confrontation was preceded by Awomi intimidating workers at resto-lounges before vandalising the bar of the resto-lounged owned by Yepthomi.
As initially reported in the news, citing a ‘Meeting Resolution’ of the Dimapur Restaurant Union, dated June 28, it had received a request for “financial assistance” from the NSF. The requested was reportedly accepted out of “goodwill” and the affiliates settled on contributing Rs 5000 each.
