DIMAPUR, July 8: Police have arrested two more persons in connection with the June 30 vandalism at Prysm Lounge, Dimapur. The two were arrested on July 7 and later released on personal recognizance (PR) bonds, along with the prime accused, Katho P Awomi.
Awomi allegedly vandalized the lounge with a baseball bat and verbally abused proprietor Tito K Yepthomi, an incident captured on CCTV. Yepthomi lodged a complaint on July 1, the case was registered on July 2, and Awomi surrendered before police on July 4.
Sources confirmed that the two associates are not members of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF). The NSF has exempted Awomi from organisational responsibility, while the Investigating Officer is preparing the chargesheet before the case proceeds to court.
The incident has also sparked wider debate over alleged “free will donations,” with the Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) describing the practice as “nothing short of extortion” and calling for accountability from the Excise Department and the district administration over the implementation of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act.
The issue has also drawn differing responses from organisations, with the Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) questioning the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industries (DCCI)’s involvement, while the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CNCCI) backed the DCCI’s role in protecting the business community.
