The Angami Students’ Union (ASU) has lodged a formal complaint with the Deputy Commissioner of Kohima against the Assam Rifles IGAR North, D Block, accusing them of disrupting students’ preparations for crucial examinations by playing loud music during odd hours.
In a memorandum, ASU expressed being “utterly anguished and disturbed by the barbaric act” of the Assam Rifles unit, stating that their “insanity is causing huge inconveniences for the students’ community in particular and the general public at large.”
The students’ body highlighted that it had earlier issued a press release on February 8, 2025, appealing for a noise-free environment during the HSLC, HSSLC, and CBSE examinations. However, according to ASU, despite the appeal, “to the dismay of the union, the Assam Rifles IGAR North at D Block Kohima have since then indulged in playing loud music during unusual hours.”
Specifically, ASU reported that “very loud music was played for hours till 10:30 PM on February 12, and very loud music being played on the night of February 15 till 12:08 AM of February 16.” The union stated that this “unwanted conduct has severely disturbed the conducive environment for students preparing and appearing for their exams.”
In a scathing remark, the students’ body took issue with the Assam Rifles’ self-proclaimed title as “Friends of the Hill People,” stating that “very often, the so-called ‘Friends of the Hill People’ have been ‘NUISANCE TO THE HILL PEOPLE’, lacking common sense and intellectual sense.”
The ASU urged the Deputy Commissioner to “immediately take necessary measures and actions to curtail such unwanted activities which are jeopardizing the fate of the students’ fraternity.”
It further called on the administration to “be vigilant on such offensive activities, particularly during the exam period, and provide a conducive environment for the students’ community.”
Expressing trust in the district administration, ASU stated that it “places our trust in the district administration and hopes that law takes its own course of action.”
ASU reiterates appeal for noise-free environment
In another statement, the Angami Students’ Union (ASU) has reiterated its appeal for a noise-free environment during the ongoing HSLC, HSSLC, and CBSE examinations, citing multiple complaints of disturbances from various establishments in Kohima, including Assam Rifles IGAR North at D Block, cafes, and restaurants.
In a press release issued on February 8, ASU had initially called for “a noise-free environment during the exam period” to ensure students could prepare without disruption. However, the union stated that it had “received several complaints about non-compliance” from various quarters, including Assam Rifles IGAR North and certain pockets around Kohima town, where loud music was allegedly played during “unusual hours.”
Expressing its firm stance against such disruptions, the union stated, “The Angami Students’ Union is resolute in initiating any measures/actions to accost any such cases menacing the career of the students’ community.” However, recognizing the role of the district administration in maintaining order, ASU submitted a formal complaint to the Deputy Commissioner of Kohima on February 16.
The union once again appealed to the “general public, individuals, and other entities” to cooperate by “abstaining from public nuisance” and allowing students to prepare for their examinations in a conducive environment. Furthermore, ASU urged “respective colony panchayats/councils and youth organizations to kindly ensure that such unwelcoming activities are not tolerated.”
“Let us not only celebrate the success of a student but also encourage and ameliorate their well-being,” ASU emphasized.
ASU officials meet IGAR (North) over noise pollution concerns
Meanwhile, the Angami Students’ Union officials are reported to have visited IGAR (North), D Block, Kohima, on Sunday evening as the AR personnel continued playing loud music, disturbing the study environment of the students during the ongoing HSLC, HSSLC, and CBSE exams.
An officer of the Assam Rifles is reported to have met the ASU officials, apologized for their actions, and further assured them that they would abstain from such noise pollution.