Organisations flay assault incident in Kohima

Various organisations have condemned the physical assault on two students allegedly by a group youth at Pezielietsie (Tinpati), Kohima on May 15.
All Sumi Students’ Union (SKK) stated that one student was first attacked without any provocation when his friend, a Sumi student leader identified as Hipito Achumi intervened and tried to pacify.
According to SKK, the student leader was asked about his tribe, and after he said he belonged to the Sumi community, the “assaulters” labelled him as thief and “mercilessly” assaulted him.
SKK stated that such “act of barbaric aggression and needless name-calling” cannot to be tolerated, adding that “justice needs to prevail.”
Further, SKK said the perpetrators deserved to be punished as per the law for the sake of peace and fairness in the Naga community.
In this regard, SKK has appealed for fair probe into the matter from the authorities concerned. It also urged other organisations and individuals to take a stand against such atrocities.
SKK cautioned that it would not remain a silent spectator if “justifiable actions” were not taken with respect to two injured students, one of whom was a bona fide SKK member.
Meanwhile, SKK has lauded Lhisemia youth organisation and students’ union for their prompt action in apprehending the three accused and conveying solidarity to the Kohima Sumi Students’ Union and Sumi Community by vehemently condemning the act.
NLSF: Vehemently condemning the assault incident, the Nagaland Law Students Federation (NLSF) said that “certain rogue individuals” with the hatred against certain tribal community committed the “unruly act”
NLSF through its media and publicity wing said stated that such an atmosphere in the society needed to be trampled upon by the responsible colony organization. It also stated that since Kohima was the capital of Nagaland its atmosphere must ensure every citizen to feel proud and reside in it peacefully without fear of any rouge individual on the basis of tribe and caste.
NLSF expressed dismay at the “slanderous words” used on the victim for no reason causing “severe damage” to the person’s reputations. NLSF expressed regret that the victim had to undergo such abuse and wished him speedy recovery.
The federation also appreciated the organization involved and the police personal for arresting the accused in time “without giving time for any tribal issue to flare up.”
NLSF urged the law enforcement agency to fervently take action against the accused as per the IPC and other relevant law.
The federation opined that such abusive behaviour in the society must be nipped in the bud “as Naga society cannot succumb to tribalism.”
LYO, LSU: Lhisemia Youth Organization (LYO) and Lhisemia Students’ Union (LSU) have also vehemently condemned the assault on “our Sumi brother and his companion” on the night of May 15, 2022 at Pezielietsie, L.Khel, Kohima village.
In a joint statement, LYO president Mhasimhalie M Yhome and LSU president Dziesekhrietuo Khruomo stated that on learning about the incident in the morning of May 17, they promptly took stock of the situation.
On identifying the perpetrators involved in the heinous act, LYO and LSU said they were handed over to the law enforcement agency on the night of May 17. “We are enraged and utterly shocked at the barbaric act meted out by three of our Khel members which resulted in grievous injuries to the victims,” they said. The two bodies affirmed stand against violence in any forms on tribal lines. LYO and LSU also said they do not stand in support of the offenders involved in the act.
The two bodies have conveyed solidarity to the Kohima Sumi Students’ Union and the Sumi community in general. Calling for timely delivery of justice, LYO and LSU said they would ensure that such incidents did not occur in the future.
Expressing deep concern and sympathy to the two victims and their families, the two bodies wished them a quick recovery.
KYDSSU: Kiphire Tuensang District Sumi Students’ Union (KTDSSU) also vehemently condemned the incident, wherein one of Sumi student leaders Hipito Achumi, President Suruhuto Range Students’ union along with his friend was physically assaulted by some youth.
KTDSSU president Iskha Sumi and general secretary Tonika Aye stated that the union was against the violence in any form of in the society. The union urged the responsible authorities to take up issue and punish the culprits as per the law.
KTDSSU also expressed sympathy to the victims and their families and wished them speedy recovery.