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DIMAPUR, MAY 28 (MExN): Several organizations have continued their condemnation of the vandalisation of the NSF and ANCSU office in Kohima on May 27.
The NSCN (IM) said that “act of insanity” that took place in the wee hours of May 27, when miscreants vandalized the Naga Club heritage building that house the office of the
Naga Students Federation (NSF) is “beyond our comprehension.”
“This is an insult of highest degree not only to NSF, the apex body of Naga students units spread across Nagalim but also to the identity of Naga freedom movement. Naga Club building has been standing as a ‘historical memory’ to reminds us of our national identity when the Naga political movement for freedom started,” a press release from the MIP of the NSCN (IM) stated.
It further said that the law enforcing agency must act with all seriousness to identify the culprits.
The Global Naga Forum (GNF) said “it is deeply disheartening to witness the insidious and systematic attempts to dismantle Naga civil society organizations.”
“Beginning with the fragmentation and delegitimization of the Apex Naga civil society's organizations, it is evident that vested interests with hideous minds are seeking to destroy the fragile fabric of pan-Naga unity that remains,” a press release from the GNF said.
It added that the destruction of the NSF office is a criminal attack on the very essence of Naga identity and aspirations. “The fact that this act transpired with such precision in the heart of our capital city raises suspicions that the miscreants acted with tacit support from powerful entities orchestrating this malicious act,” the GNF claimed.
It meanwhile asserted that attempts to intimidate and silence the unity and voice of the Naga nation will not succeed.
Further, the GNF condemned the “cynical motive of resource politics, disguised as claims of original land ownership by the Naga Club, as a pretext for grabbing prime land in the heart of Kohima. Such claims do not withstand scrutiny of modern law or customary Naga practices. The building and land in question do not possess hereditary ownership, rendering customary law inapplicable.”
It urged the authorities to act swiftly, restore justice, and ensure the perpetrators of this shameful and criminal act face the full force of the law.
The Kohima Village Council said that the vandalized building was a heritage and an iconic movement to the beginning of the Naga movement. A press release from the KVC said: “According to our Angami traditional and customary practices, it is a very serious crime to vandalise somebody’s house or properties. The unwarranted vandalism of the Naga Club building by unknown tyrannical miscreants, under cover of darkness was a clear manifestation of cowardice which needs to be seriously dealth with befitting law, by the law enforcing agencies.”
A joint statement from the government colleges’ student bodies of Nagaland expressed shock at the incident and said that “such cowardly act of anti social elements that was carried out by some few vested individual(s) is a direct threat to the student community.”
They demanded that the culprits be booked at the earliest by law enforcing agencies; and stringent and befitting punishments be awarded to those involved as per the relevant sections of the law.
“At this juncture, we extend our solidarity and fullest support to the ANCSU & NSF; and we hope that the law enforcing agencies will take up the matter with outmost priority & concern; and render justice to ANCSU, NSF and the entire students community at the earliest,” the unions added.
The All Zeliangrong Students' Union Assam, Manipur & Nagaland (AZSU-AMN) said it is enraged over the vandalism.
“For such an important student organization which has a great impact on Naga society and seeing its image tarnished is heinous and disgraceful, the perpetrators and the act of goondaism should be punished as per the law and condemned by all right thinking citizens,” it stated.
The Eastern Naga Students' Federation said that “this unbecoming act, carried out by unknown miscreants, is an appalling assault on these esteemed institutions and an affront to the principles they represent which is uncalled for.”
“The repercussions of this act of vandalism extend far beyond mere physical damage; it is a blatant insult on the aspirations and struggles of the students' community in particular and the Naga society as a whole,” the ENSF said.
It is crucial that the authorities conduct a swift and thorough investigation to identify and apprehend the perpetrators responsible for this despicable act and book under the relevant sections of the law, it added.
The ENSF further urged all members of its community, including citizens, community leaders, and individuals committed to responsibility to condemn these acts of aggression.
The Naga Students' Union Bangalore said that vandalising the office of the Naga students' apex body is an act of defamation and insult to all the Naga student bodies across India.
It appealed to the concerned administration and investigating authority to respond effectively and ensure that the culprit and all those involved in this barbaric act be punished as per the law and that no such act be repeated in the future.
The Naga Students’ Union Delhi condemned the act of vandalism and viewed the same as an act of aggression against the entire Naga Community. A press release from the NSUD asked the state machinery to conduct free, impartial, and effective investigation to identify the persons responsible and to bring them to justice.
The Kohima Village Youth Organisation also condemned the “hate and fear that motivates such disgraceful acts.” “This destruction in the midst of controversy and the random destruction of historical records of the NSF is irreplaceable. KVYO assures the fullest support to the competent authority in its investigation and arrest of the culprits,” a press release from the organization stated.
The Maram Students Union also condemned the act and said that “such act of attacking one's house and place of dwelling is a very serious crime according to the Naga Customary tradition.”
