Dimapur Police register FIR over alleged Prysm Lounge vandalism as viral CCTV clip and funding resolution trigger controversy, investigation
DIMAPUR — The proprietor of Prysm Lounge in Dimapur, Tito Yepthomi, who is also the president of District Auto Drivers' Union as well as Dimapur Restaurant Union, has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) at East Police Station, Dimapur, against the finance secretary of Naga Students' Federation (NSF), alleging his involvement in an act of vandalism inside the lounge on June 30.
Confirming the development, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) and PRO of Dimapur Police, Khekali Y Sumi, said that a complaint regarding the incident was received on July 1, and an FIR registered on July 2.
She informed that the case is under investigation and that no arrests had been made at the time of filing this report.
The motive behind the alleged vandalism is yet to be ascertained as the investigation is still in progress.
Meanwhile, a CCTV clip circulating on social media purportedly shows NSF Finance Secretary Katho P Awomi using what appears to be a baseball bat to smash glassware inside Prysm Lounge during the June 30 incident.
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At the same time, a resolution purportedly adopted by the Dimapur Restaurant Union on June 28 regarding financial assistance to the NSF has also been widely circulated on social media.
According to the circulated document, the union discussed extending financial support to the NSF and resolved to appeal to all member restaurants to voluntarily contribute INR 5,000 each as a gesture of goodwill and union solidarity. The document also lists 31 restaurants.
However, on July 1, Prysm Lounge proprietor Tito Yepthomi issued a’ clarification’, stating that both the CCTV footage from the lounge and the resolution circulating on social media had been misinterpreted and did not accurately reflect the facts.
He maintained that the NSF neither demanded nor solicited any financial assistance from the Dimapur Restaurant Union or its members.
According to Yepthomi, a meeting of the Dimapur Restaurant Union and club owners was held on June 28, during which members unanimously resolved to voluntarily extend financial support to the NSF as a gesture of goodwill and appreciation for the Federation's cause.
He stated that the proposal for financial contributions originated solely from those present at the meeting and was neither initiated nor demanded by the NSF.
In view of what he described as misinformation circulating online, Yepthomi appealed to the public and media organisations to refrain from sharing or presenting the viral video and the circulated resolution in a manner that, according to him, falsely suggests that the NSF demanded financial assistance.