Kohima: A viral CCTV video allegedly showing a senior student leader vandalising a Dimapur restaurant reportedly operating as a ‘bar’ has shifted public discourse in Nagaland from questions over the conduct of student organisations to the implementation of the state’s liquor prohibition law.
The controversy centres on Katho P Awomi, Finance Secretary of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), against whom Dimapur Police have reportedly registered a First Information Report (FIR) following a complaint by the proprietor of Prysm Lounge.
The controversy began after CCTV footage of the incident on June 30 circulated widely on social media, purportedly showing Awomi holding what appeared to be a baseball bat and smashing glassware inside Prysm Lounge.
The CCTV footage quickly went viral, accompanied by posts alleging that Awomi had demanded money from the lounge on behalf of the NSF.
The allegations gained further traction after a document, containing a resolution adopted by the Dimapur Restaurant Union (DRU), also circulated online. The resolution referred to voluntary financial contributions by restaurant owners to the NSF, prompting allegations that the student body had been collecting money from businesses.
“A meeting of the members of the Dimapur Restaurant Union was held to discuss the request received from the Nagaland Students’ Federation (NSF) for financial assistance. After detailed discussion and deliberation, the Union agrees to extend its cooperation and appeals to all restaurant owners under the Dimapur Restaurant Union to contribute voluntarily Rs 5000 towards this cause as a gesture of goodwill and union support without fail,” a section of the document read.
The resolution further stated that the collection would be the responsibility of the NSF executive and listed at least 30 restaurants, including Prysm Lounge.
Lounge proprietor, NSF deny extortion allegations
However, both Prysm Lounge proprietor Tito Yepthomi, who is also president of the Dimapur Restaurant Union, and the NSF have denied allegations of extortion.
In a clarification, Yepthomi stated that the NSF neither demanded nor solicited financial contributions from restaurant owners, stating that the viral video “have been misinterpreted” and that it does “not reflect the true facts.”
According to him, members of the restaurant fraternity themselves resolved during a meeting on June 28 to voluntarily contribute Rs 5,000 each as a gesture of goodwill towards the federation.
He urged the public and media not to misconstrue the circulating resolution as evidence of extortion.
The NSF also issued a clarification on Friday in a detailed statement, stating that it does “not condone any act of vandalism, intimidation, violence or conduct that is inconsistent with the principles and values for which the NSF stands.”
In its statement, the NSF said it was “surprising and deeply concerning” that some individuals continued to portray the issue as one of extortion despite a public clarifications issued by the president of the DRU. The federation alleged that certain sections were attempting to amplify the controversy through selective commentary and predetermined narratives that unfairly portrayed the organisation in a negative light.
It maintained that the focus should instead remain on the circumstances and sequence of events leading to the confrontation captured in the CCTV footage, which is currently under police investigation. The NSF said it would objectively ascertain all facts, including the conduct of all parties involved and the events preceding the incident, before taking any action. It added that any decision would be based on due process after the truth had been established, rather than on media trials or public speculation.
The federation also relieved Awomi of his duties from the office till such time the matter is resolved.
While distancing itself from the incident, the federation maintained that the larger issue lay elsewhere.
NSF shifts focus to prohibition law
The NSF argued that public attention should instead focus on the continued operation of bars and lounges allegedly serving alcohol despite the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act remaining in force.
The federation questioned how establishments openly serving alcohol continue to function and called upon enforcement agencies to explain under what legal provisions such businesses are allowed to operate.
“The Federation therefore calls upon the competent civil and law enforcement authorities to explain what measures have been taken to ensure effective implementation of the NLTP Act and to address any reported violations. The Federation believes that public attention should not lose sight of this fundamental issue while investigations into the recent incident proceed independently and fairly,” the NSF said.
The student body further asserted that its activities had historically been sustained through voluntary contributions from well-wishers, former leaders, organisations and individuals, and maintained that it had never adopted a policy of extortion, coercion or forced financial collection. It said any person possessing credible evidence of individuals misusing the federation’s name for extortion or unlawful financial demands should submit it to the NSF office, assuring that appropriate action would be taken without fear or favour.
The federation also alleged that certain elements were attempting to undermine its credibility by linking its name to every controversy without regard to the facts. It said it would continue to function with transparency, institutional responsibility and adherence to due process rather than respond to speculation or emotionally driven narratives.
Civil society organisations weigh in
The incident has since drawn responses from several civil society organisations.
The Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) condemned the alleged vandalism and intimidation, stating that no individual or organisation should consider itself above the law.
At the same time, the federation questioned the district administration over the licensing and operation of bars, lounges and nightclubs that allegedly function in violation of the NLTP Act.
The DUCCF demanded that authorities disclose the categories of licences under which such establishments are operating and cancel licences issued to businesses found violating the law.
The All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU), of which Awomi is a former president, also issued a statement on Friday over the incident which happened at a “bar”. The union announced that Awomi would not be associated with any of its programmes or official activities until the police investigation is concluded.
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ANCSU said the decision was taken to safeguard the organisation’s credibility while allowing the legal process to proceed without interference.
The student body also reiterated its long-standing demand for strict implementation of the NLTP Act, urging authorities to shut down bars, restaurants and nightclubs allegedly involved in the sale or consumption of alcohol.
“The Union wishes to make it unequivocally clear that failure on the part of the concerned authorities to act decisively against such unlawful establishments will leave ANCSU with no alternative but to initiate any befitting democratic measures to ensure that the rule of law is upheld and public accountability is maintained,” it warned.
Also Read | Weakest Dry State? Why Nagaland’s prohibition law is seen as ‘total failure’
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