In a significant development following the recent assault on youths in Thahekhu village, the Dimapur Rengma Youth Organisation (DRYO), along with Dimapur-based frontal Naga youth organisations, has warned of a potential “Black Christmas” if justice is not delivered promptly.
The announcement came after a joint consultative meeting held in Dimapur at Hotel Saramati on Friday, December 20, where representatives from various Naga youth organisations deliberated on the growing issues of “gun culture, autocracy, and authoritarianism” in society.
The DRYO, in collaboration with other youth organisations, has formed a “coordination and action committee” to address these pressing issues. Aga Rengma, Advisor to DRYO, explained that all presidents of the participating organisations will serve as convenors or co-convenors of the committee, ensuring a collective effort to resolve the matter.
Speaking at a press conference following the three-hour meeting, DRYO President Hyulonyu Semp outlined resolutions adopted during the discussions. The organisation reiterated the Tenyimi Students’ Union Dimapur’s demand to apprehend the remaining three culprits involved in the assault within 24 hours. Four suspects have already been detained in connection with the incident. The assault allegedly took place at the residence of a Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) counsellor, and the DRYO demanded the resignation of the counsellor on moral grounds.
The DRYO further announced that if authorities fail to address public safety concerns, they will proceed with the proposed “Black Christmas” protest. During the Christmas season, they plan to encourage Naga people to wear black hand bands, arm bands, head bands, and badges as a symbol of dissent. This act of protest, they stated, will signify their collective frustration and demand for justice.
Aga Rengma noted that all tribal youth organisations within Dimapur, including those unable to attend the meeting, have expressed solidarity with the cause. “Consider it the whole conglomerate of youth organisations,” he said, highlighting the unified stance among Naga youth.
The assault case in Thahekhu village, which reportedly involved firearms and individuals claiming to be Naga National Workers, has sparked widespread outrage. The DRYO’s call for a “Black Christmas” underscores the growing discontent with the lack of action against the perpetrators.
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