Kohima: NSF office building demolished by unidentified vandals | NSF issues 24 – hour ultimatum

Kohima, 27 May (MTNews): In a brazen act of vandalism, the Naga Club Building in Kohima that houses the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) office was destroyed by unidentified miscreants in the early hours of Saturday.
Addressing the media, NSF President Kegwayhun Tep stated that he received information about the incident around 4:00 AM. Upon reaching the scene at approximately 5:00 AM, Tep was confronted with the aftermath of the vandalism as the perpetrators had already fled. An FIR has been lodged at the North Police Station in Kohima, and authorities are currently conducting investigations.

According to reports, a group of around 30 individuals, armed with daos (traditional Naga machete) and sticks, arrived at the location accompanying an excavator. The miscreants used this machinery to wreak havoc on the premises, causing substantial damage.

It is important to note that the Naga Club Building also houses the offices of the All Nagaland College Students’ Union, the Kohima Press Club, and eight other shops, all of which were affected by the destructive spree.
Respect for private and public properties is fundamental in a civilized society: CM Rio

Strongly condemning the act, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio who reportedly is on an official duty expressed his outrage through a tweet where he emphasized the fundamental importance of respecting both private and public properties, emphasizing that such acts of vandalism have no place in a civilized society.

“Respect for private and public properties is fundamental in a civilized society,” he tweeted and appealed to all right-thinking citizens to maintain peace and harmony.

NSF issues 24 – hour ultimatum

Following the vandalism, the NSF held an Extra Emergency Presidential Council Meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall, Kohima where the house resolved to issue an ultimatum to the Government of Nagaland to book the culprit within 24 hours starting from 6 pm of 27 May 2023.

Failure to do so, the Federation said, would compel the NSF to resort to actions it deems befitting for which all the federating units and subordinate bodies shall extend their fullest support.

In the meeting, the house also unanimously condemned the act of vandalism and resolved that all the federating units and subordinate bodies of the Federation shall publicly condemn the criminal action.

It further resolved to expedite the process of rebuilding the Naga Club building for which the committee constituted by the executive council and approved by the emergency Presidential Council meeting was reinstated.

“Every single Naga youth and student shall contribute towards the same for which the federating units and subordinate bodies are delegated the responsibility to ensure the success of the endeavor,” it stated.

The house also extended its gratitude to the Naga people, political leaders and civil society organizations “cutting across the artificial boundaries” for the solidarity extended towards the Federation during the difficult time of the “Naga heritage site being demolished by the anti-Naga rogues.”

Further, the house resolved to forward the matter of “extension of tenure for the NSF incumbents 2021-23” to the Federal Assembly for which the Speaker NSF was requested to summon an emergency Federal Assembly on 27 May 2023 post the Extra Emergency Presidential Council meeting.

The meeting was chaired by Kegwayhun Tep, President NSF