SAYO vandalises shops in Kohima

Our Correspondent KOHIMA, JUNE 24 At least three shops were ransacked in Kohima by Southern Angami Youth Organization (SAYO) volunteers Wednesday afternoon. SAYO has, later in a press release, claimed responsibility on the rampage carried out at IOC and Mohonkhola, Kohima and at New Reserve, Phesama. The press release, endorsed by SAYO president Kekhrühol Mekro and A/C convener Khisanol Viswentso stated that the action was warranted due to non compliance to the organization’s “Eviction Order” served to the Mao people through the media on June 5. SAYO had directed all the Southern Angami landlords/house owners to ask their tenants belonging to Mao community to vacate their rented houses within five days. According to SAYO, the actions carried out on Wednesday at IOC in Kohima were in commercial buildings owned by Southern Angamis. “In the process of eviction action, SAYO had not reacted against any individual physically and has regretted any inconvenience caused to others owing to the action carried out,” the release said. Sticking to its earlier resolution, the organization has once again cautioned all the Southern Angami people not to harbour or lease rooms or houses to the Maos until the Kezoltsa issue is settled. It warned that appropriate action will be initiated against Southern Angami house owners who fail to comply with this directive. While directing the people from its own community to desist from sheltering or renting out their houses/building to people from the Mao community, SAYO’s notice for Mao people had also included students, teachers, employees, domestic helpers etc. living within the Southern Angami jurisdiction.