NSF office damaged: Civil orgs, student bodies demand immediate arrest of perpetrators

Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 28 

Condemnations poured in from civil societies, student bodies over the demolition of the building which housed the office of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU), some shops and a temporary office of the Kohima Press Club (KPC). At the same time, it demanded immediate arrest of the perpetrators and book them under relevant section of the law.

The Naga Hoho termed the act as an attack on Naga legacy, history and traditions. Stating that the NSF office is a part of Naga political history, sentiments and emotions of every Naga attached there, it said the attack is a murder to the future of Naga generation. It has appealed the concerned authority to immediately act against the perpetrators and award befitting punishment. It is a tragedy and the darkest chapter in the history of the Nagas, we hang our head in shame, it added. 

The Angami Public Organization (APO) said the destruction caused on NSF office, which is also a heritage building, is wrong and unjustifiable. “Such acts are alien to the cultures and traditions of our ancestors.

The iconic Naga Club building, which is a purposeful office of the NSF is associated with  Naga people’s  history, it was preserved and used valiantly by patriotic Naga youths to uphold the Naga struggle, to destroy such a monument is a great loss for all the Nagas,” it stated.  While the Naga Club Building has been embroiled in conflict, it however expressed that pursuing amicable and lasting solutions to conflicts can only stem from mutual respect and dialogue. It has appealed to all Nagas to show understanding of the positions taken in the conflict and to desist from aggravating situations.

The Angami Students’ Union (ASU) said such vandalism is alien to the Naga people and the audacity of some miscreants to mastermind this heinous act in Angami homeland is a direct confrontation with the Union.  Stating that the union will not tolerate this “cowardly barbarism” it has warned the perpetrators to immediately surrender or bear the brunt of the union, as “we will go all out in delivering justice to the NSF and ANCSU.”

The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) comprising of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), Twipra Students’ Federation (TSF), All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), Garo Students’ Union (GSU) and All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) representing eight major students movement in the seven North Eastern states has condemned the act and expressed solidarity and support to the NSF. 

The Kohima Press Club (KPC) said any act of vandalism is unwarranted and that of cowardice, and has no place in a civilized society. While strongly condemning the act, it urged upon the authorities concerned to conduct a swift investigation into the whole incident and take action as per the law of the land.

It also stated that the vandalization of the office of NSF at the Naga Club Building has indirectly affected the temporary working office of the Kohima Press Club that is housed within the same building. 

The Ao students’ Conference (AKM) in its condemnation note said the criminals responsible for the act were not common miscreants, but anti Naga national elements with the agenda to destroy the spirit of Naga nationalism completely.  While denouncing the act, the AKM has extended unwavering support to the NSF in particular and the Naga people in general to build and rebuilt not only the physical building but most importantly the Naga nation at this challenging moment. 

The Rengma Students’ Union (RSU) said this act was an attempt to hijack an organization that has long been standing for the just cause and rights of the students, youths and the Naga people. Terming it as a direct challenge to the core values of peace, unity and progress of the Naga nation, the RSU said such barbaric actions committed against the NSF is an open confrontation against every Naga student, youth and the Naga people. It has demanded the competent authority to immediately book the perpetrators and accord exemplary justice as per the law. Furthermore, the Union extended its fullest support and cooperation to the Federation.

Condemning the act of vandalism, the Lotha Students’ Union (LSU) appealed to all the right thinking citizens to denounce such “self-vested syndicates who works for benefits in order to tarnish the image of our pioneers and the history of the Nagas.” It also demanded the concerned authorities to take the issue on highest priority and award a befitting punishment to the culprits within 24 hours.

The Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) while denouncing the destruction of the historical office of the NSF in the Naga Club building said this act of extreme crime was committed by anti-Naga miscreants who are a threat to the entire Naga Nation It called upon the concerned authorities of law and order to immediately take the necessary actions and bring forth in public domain those involved in the act. It also extended unwavering support to the NSF. 

The Tenyimi Union Dimapur (TUD) while condemning the vandalism of NSF and ANCSU office said any misunderstanding and dissension can be amicably settled without resorting to such despicable actions. It also asserted that the NSF has since its inception been a beacon of hope and voice of the Nagas within its boundaries and beyond for citizens both young and old alike. It has been the backbone in moulding many leaders of the past and the present society. “This is a black day in the history of the Nagas and we held our head down in shame that any Nagas would stoop so low,” it stated. 

The All Sumi Students’ Union (SKK) said the deliberate destruction of the NSF and ANCSU office by some miscreants cannot be justified to any of their advantages. In a democratic country, reasoning out and dialogue is a mechanism to any challenge one confronts, it maintained while appealing the concerned authority to clinically look for the culprit (s) and book them as per relevant sections of the law. 

The Chakhesang Students’ Union (CSU) termed the act as an attempt to tarnish and destroy the good image of the highest student body and therefore a direct challenge to the unity and integrity of the whole Nagas. It stated that this cowardly act comes at a time when the whole Nagas are selflessly yearning for permanent solution and said such unpatriotic act would only bring disunity among the Nagas and destroy the very essence of peace and harmony in the society. The CSU said it stands in solidarity with the NSF at this crucial time and extended full support in the pursuit of justice. 

The Angami Youth Organization (AYO) said the incident of vandalism on the NSF and ANCSU office is not just an attack on the building but on the essence, fabric and legacy of the Nagas as the building today is a testimony of the Naga journey thus far. It stated that the unwarranted attack on a building which has the office of the apex Naga student body near manifestation of mounting hatred and enmity among the Nagas. While denouncing the act of the perpetrators, the AYO said it will not tolerate any action that is detrimental to the progress of the Naga society. 

The Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) said termed the “ruthless attempt in destroying the fabric of the Nagas” as most unfortunate which every right thinking citizen must come out to fight. While condemning such act of hooliganism committed  which has no place in a civilised society, the NMA has demanded the law enforcing agencies to arrest the perpetrators and accord befitting punishment as per law.  It also extended support and solidarity to the NSF.