Nagaland police detains JCB driver involved in vandalization of NSF building

By Sarah Konyak

The Nagaland Police have detained the JCB driver who was involved in the vandalization of the Naga Students Federation (NSF) central office. The driver was detained by the police yesterday.

As per inputs, the driver was paid money to demolish the NSF building.

A police official speaking on condition of anonymity informed Northeast Live, “That JCB driver was just given some money and told to do this work. No background, no building, so that will come out further during the investigation. He did what he was told. His fault is that he demolished, but he would not know what he was doing.”

The NSF office was vandalized in the wee hours of Saturday.

Based on CCTV footage, the police have also zeroed in on at least 30 other people who were seen at the site during the demolition. At least four of them have been identified and are likely to be taken into custody by the police.

“We are making efforts, so hopefully today we should be able to get them. They may be hiding,” added the senior police official.

The Advisor of School Education and SCERT to the Government of Nagaland, Dr.Kekhrie Yhome, visited the site earlier today.

Dr.Kekhrie Yhome expressed shock over the incident after he took stock of the situation.

“We do not know the logic and motive behind all these things, but hopefully in a couple of days we will know who is behind all this and what kind of group is behind all this. I must say, I deeply sympathize with the NSF today, and I stand by them,” said Yhome.

Yhome also stressed that NSF should immediately set up their office because their activity has to go on and the federation cannot be hampered by this issue.

Responding to a question on whether the state government will extend any financial aid, Yhome said, “We will look into that; right now I have just spoken to some of the NSF leaders; their livelihood has been totally drawn into. So, immediately, if they can do something from their end, we will definitely look into that. I know many of them because occasionally, although I have never been part of the NSF, we have worked together, so I also know many of them. They are totally dependent on the little shops they run here and have been part of the NSF family also, so it’s very heartwarming to say that in such great form. So of course we will look at and take into consideration all those.”

The NSCN-IM has also vehemently condemned the vandalization of the central office of the Naga Students Federation (NSF).

In a press statement, the NSCN-IM said, “NSCN condemns such acts of depravity that have shaken the consciousness of all right-thinking Nagas. The law-enforcing agency must act with all seriousness to identify the culprits.”

A 5-member SIT team is investigating the incident.

Also Read: NESO condemns vandalisation of NSF central office in Kohima