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KOHIMA —The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) staged a sit-in in front of its vandalised office on Monday, to express dissatisfaction over the failure of Nagaland government to arrest all the individuals involved in demolition of its office housed in the Naga Club building in the early hours of Saturday.
The apex student body had served a 24-hour ultimatum to the government of Nagaland to arrest individuals involved in the act with effect from 6 PM of May 27, while the state police had constituted a five-member SIT led by the additional SP, Kohima, to probe the matter.
Meanwhile, the Naga Club on Sunday claimed responsibility to the act, saying that it had carried out the destruction work after serving eviction notice and argued that the question of vandalizing public property doesn’t arise.
The Kohima Police, which is investigating the case, updated that three persons have been arrested so far in connection with the incident and seized a backhoe (JCB) and a Maruti Suzuki Gypsy till Sunday midnight.
However, the NSF has demanded the arrest of all those involved in the vandalism act. It was said that a mob of about 30 people armed with daos (machetes), sticks and a backhoe (JCB) had vandalised the NSF office.
"All of them should be arrested. We don't know why authorities are taking too long to arrest them...If justice is not delivered, we will intensify our movement", NSF President Kegwayhun Tep said while addressing the gathering during the protest.
He alleged that the vandals had an "intention to kill all of us, to kill leaders of NSF" because they came with weapons.
There were dao (machete) cut marks in the general secretary's office which indicates they came to kill and that should be made known to all, he said.
‘We are not here to claim the office but are here to protect the heritage of the Naga people,’ Tep added.
On the claim that the property belongs to the Naga Club, NSF president told journalists at the protest site that "they (vandals) came like a thief and acted like a terrorist. So that is very questionable" and that they could have demolished the house during the daytime.
‘This current tussle started in early 2016. A series of meetings was held between the NSF led by the seniors and members of Naga Club. After lengthy deliberation, a conclusion was arrived at-an agreement, which was appended by all the members present in the meeting but it was informed the next day that the Naga Club had dishonoured the agreement,’ he said
The NSF is loud and clear that if they want NSF or any other people to recognise the legitimacy and the existence of the Naga club, they have to honour the agreement, he said while maintaining that it had a series of discussions with Naga leaders on the matter.
'If they (Naga Club members) are not behaving like gentlemen, like true leaders; if they cannot honour the agreement made, how can we say that they are the right leaders to represent the Nagas?’ he asked.
'They must have undermined the sincerity of the incumbent office. However, the vandalism has strengthened and unified not only the NSF and the student fraternity but also the emotions of the entire Naga people. We are overwhelmed to have received the support,’ he added.
[Also read: Book the culprits immediately, demands MLS Kikon]
'May 27 a black day'
Former minister Neiba Kronu, who was also a former president of NSF, said that any kind of destruction is not the will of the people.
Addressing the gathering at the protest site, he said such things should be avoided and that the vandals should realise that such action is not appreciated by the people. He added that one should understand each other and rebuild.
General Secretary of NSF, Süpuni Ng Philo, said that May 27 will go down in the history of NSF as a "black day".
The protest was to show anger at the demolition of the office; that the act is not accepted and will not be accepted by the Naga people, he said, adding that the student body is "not scared" of any forces that might come their way.
The leaders of NSF federating units and subordinate bodies attended the protest on Monday, which will continue on Tuesday starting from 9 am.
Consultative meeting today
The NSF has convened a consultative meeting at APO Hall at 11 am today, Tuesday, for which all the former leaders of the federation have been requested to attend.