NSF's Katho P Awomi arrested after surrender in Dimapur vandalism case as police investigate alleged lounge attack and FIR
DIMAPUR — Katho P Awomi, who was earlier relieved of all responsibilities and assignments by the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) pending the outcome of an inquiry into allegations of vandalism, was arrested by Dimapur Police on July 4 after surrendering in connection with the June 30 incident at Prsym Lounge in Dimapur, according to multiple sources.
The arrest has been prompted by a complaint lodged with the police on July 1 and the registration of an FIR on July 2.
However, there was no official confirmation from the police regarding Awomi's arrest, the status of the investigation, or the identities of the three other alleged individuals involved in the incident. Repeated attempts to contact police officials for confirmation went unanswered.
Police also did not officially confirm Awomi's custody status. While some sources claimed he was released after furnishing a personal bond, another source maintained that he remained in police custody at the time of filing this report. Eastern Mirror could not independently verify either claim.
Awomi, NSF Finance Secretary until recently, landed in controversy after CCTV footage that surfaced on social media allegedly showed him along with three unidentified men damaging property with a baseball bat at Prsym Lounge on Golaghat Road in Dimapur, owned by Dimapur District Auto Drivers' Union and Dimapur Restaurant Union president Tito Yepthomi, on June 30.
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Another video, purportedly recorded on July 1, allegedly showed Awomi and the same three unidentified men entering a separate lounge carrying a baseball bat.
The incident has also renewed attention on the alleged sale of liquor at the establishment despite the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989, remaining in force and Nagaland continuing to be officially designated a dry state.
Meanwhile, a meeting resolution that surfaced on social media following the June 30 incident stated that the Dimapur Restaurant Union had met on June 28 to discuss extending financial assistance to the NSF.
According to the resolution, titled Resolution on Financial Cooperation with the NSF, the union decided to voluntarily contribute INR 5,000 each from its member restaurants as a gesture of support. It further stated that members of the NSF executive would collect the contributions. The resolution also carried a list of 30 member restaurants in Dimapur.
Following he circulation of the CCTV footage and the resolution on social media, Tito Yepthomi issued a clarification on the night of July 1, stating that both had been misinterpreted and did not reflect the true facts.
"The Naga Students' Federation did not demand or solicit any financial assistance from the Dimapur Restaurant Union or its members," Yepthomi said.
He clarified that during a meeting held on June 28 between the Dimapur Restaurant Union and club owners, members unanimously resolved to voluntarily extend financial support to the NSF as a gesture of goodwill and appreciation for the federation's cause.
"The discussion regarding contributions originated solely from those present at the meeting and was not initiated or demanded by the NSF," he said.
Appealing to the public and media, Yepthomi urged that the CCTV footage and the resolution should not be circulated in a manner that falsely portrayed the NSF as having demanded financial assistance.
"We regret the misunderstanding and the unwarranted damage caused to the reputation of the Naga Students' Federation," he said.