Kohima: A high-ranking official within the Naga Students' Federation is at the center of a criminal investigation. Dimapur police registered a complaint on July 2 against Finance Secretary Katho P Awomi. He stands accused of vandalism and shaking down local businesses.
CCTV footage leaked on July 1 shows Awomi swinging a baseball bat inside a popular Dimapur resto lounge. He smashed the bar counter while onlookers watched. The business is owned by Tito Yepthomi, the head of the Dimapur Restaurant Union. A separate video depicts the two men locked in a heated roadside argument.
Tensions allegedly flared over demands for cash. Documents show the union discussed a request for financial assistance from the federation. Members were asked to pay Rs 5000 as a gesture of goodwill. While the money was meant to support the federation, the situation spiraled into violence.
Yepthomi later backtracked on the narrative. He claimed the video and letters were misinterpreted by the public. He issued a statement on July 1 stating, "The NSF did not solicit any financial assistance, and whatever amount the resto lounge union agreed to shell out was done so out of goodwill, in appreciation of the NSF’s cause."
Despite the formal clarification, Yepthomi still filed a police report. The federation remains quiet. NSF President Mteisuiding Heraang said the executive body will meet in Kohima on July 3 to address the scandal. Police have not released specific details regarding the charges.
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