Kohima Village Students' Union releases findings on student assault case

• DIMAPUR — The Kohima Village Students' Union (KVSU) has released its official findings following an investigation into the alleged assault case involving a student of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School (DBHSS), Kohima.
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• The incident, which reportedly occurred on February 20, led to a formal complaint by the alleged victim's father and has since been the subject of community attention and police investigation.
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• In a statement issued on April 23, the KVSU clarified that it had launched an inquiry at the request of all parties involved, after receiving a letter from the alleged victim’s father addressed to both the Kohima Village Council (KVC) and the union itself.

Related: Authorities ‘investigating’ Kohima student assault case

• Over the course of the investigation, the KVSU interviewed 19 eyewitnesses, including those directly involved in the incident. The union stated that its findings revealed “significant discrepancies” between the narrative presented by the alleged victim’s father and the testimonies of multiple witnesses.
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• According to the union, the altercation began during a break at school when one of the alleged accused was eating the alleged victim’s tiffin. An argument ensued, followed by a challenge to a fight, which was reportedly accepted by both parties.
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• Witness accounts described the confrontation as a consensual and pre-arranged event, held after school hours outside the school premises, with mutually agreed rules and designated referees. The KVSU said no evidence was found to support claims of bullying, ambush, or coercion.
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• The student was admitted to hospital on March 25, more than a month after the incident. KVSU noted that during the intervening period, the student attended school on 18 out of 21 working days and participated in school activities, including the first day of the annual sports week on March 19.
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• In the days following the student’s hospitalisation, the KVSU attempted to facilitate dialogue between the families involved. However, efforts to reach a resolution were unsuccessful. The alleged victim’s family reportedly declined to issue a clarifying statement or allow a joint declaration from KVSU and the Tesophenyu Group Students’ Union.
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• The union said it intended to release its findings only after the alleged victim’s recovery and after obtaining a direct statement. However, with a formal police complaint now lodged by the family, the KVSU said it felt compelled to disclose the outcome of its investigation.
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• “We affirm that our investigation has been conducted with impartiality and diligence. All interviews and findings have been properly documented and recorded. Based on the available evidence and eyewitness accounts,” the statement read.
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• The union has called for sensitivity and restraint from the public, urging against the circulation of unverified claims that may impact communal harmony. The matter is currently under police investigation.