Naga Students Federation (NSF) President Kegwayhun Tep made a sensational claim on Monday, alleging that the people who came to vandalise the office, came with an intention to kill the leaders of NSF.

“Many people are not aware the people who vandalised the office also came with an intention to kill the leaders of Naga students federation because they came with dao, lathi. The evidence is known all to those who are involved,” said the President.

A sit-in protest is being held today outside the vandalised NSF office to protest the 27 May incident and also the Nagaland government’s failure to book the culprits within 24 hours ultimatum set by the federation.

NSF President Kegwayhun Tep in front of the destroyed office on 29 May 2023

Tep maintained that the Federation was not there to claim the property but to protect the house of the Naga people.

“We have no interest to take the building. NSF has been existing till today and last year only we celebrated our 75 years of existence,” he added.

Urging the concern authorities to arrest all the culprits, Tep said, if justice is not delivered to the student community the federation will intensify its movement.

In his address, the NSF president read out a public declaration by some senior Naga individuals concerned over the NSF-Naga Club issue. The declaration was dated 21 November 2018. (Image of declaration at the bottom of story)

The federation also provided financial aid as immediate relief to the shopkeepers who lost their livelihood as a result of Saturday morning’s act.

Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play

NPF MLA Achumbemo Kikon who visited the site today said, “The citizens themselves are not safe. Is this the way society has to progress? Naga society cannot go on like this. Therefore, immediately the administration, the police should activate their network and culprits should be booked and dealt with as per the law of the land.”

Mentioning that there are issues in every society but there is a system to settle the issue, Kikon said, “this is not the way.”

NPF MLA Achumbemo Kikon at the NSF sit-in on 29 May 2023

Speaking on the relationship of the Naga Club and NSF especially in the Naga political movement, Kikon said all through these years from 1947 till today, NSF have been actively protecting, promoting and strengthening the Naga movement.

The Nagaland Congress has also expressed solidarity with the NSF. State Congress President Supongmeren Jamir said, “Unfortunately the present act, we do not accept and we really condemn it. This is not according to the tradition of the Nagas, and the customs will never allow these kind of demolition of the buildings (NSF office).”

Meanwhile, three persons have been detained so far in connection with the vandalisation of the NSF office. A JCB driver, who admitted having been paid money to destroy the office, was picked up by the police yesterday. Further probe is underway.

Public declaration by senior Naga leaders on the NSF-Naga Club issue dated 21-11-2018

Read more: Entrusted youths to demolish structure unlawfully occupied by NSF: The Naga Club