Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 23
Unrest broke out at Kaziranga University in Jorhat on September 20 after a viral video allegedly showing a Naga student making remarks about late Assamese singer Zubeen Garg sparked tensions. The incident eventually led to the safe evacuation of 358 Naga students to Dimapur in the early hours of September 21.
Speaking to The Morung Express, Longtimar Longkumer, student representative of the Naga Students’ Union at Jorhat, said the situation escalated around 7:30 pm on Saturday. The video, in which the student asked why local shops were closed and questioned who Zubeen Garg was, circulated widely and soon reached the All Assam Students’ Union. This prompted locals to gather outside the university, breaking open the main entrance of the hostel. “Even the security couldn’t do anything,” Longkumer said.
The hostel housed 131 Naga boys, and tensions rose as the crowd, some reportedly armed with shovels, daos and pistols sought the student seen in the video. To ensure his safety, the student and a friend temporarily hid outside a window asa precaution to prevent any extreme actions from the student who was equally traumatised.
The Jorhat Superintendent of Police (SP) intervened around midnight, urging the students to hand over their peer to avoid further escalation. After a brief consultation, the students agreed. In a remarkable gesture, the SP lent the student his own uniform to disguise him and arranged for his escape from the back of the hostel. Longkumer acknowledged the SP for his decisive action, which he said was crucial in preventing further harm.
By around 2:00 am, the situation was under control. Minister Temjen Imna Along contacted the students to offer support, and authorities from both Assam and Nagaland coordinated the evacuation. Eight buses were arranged by the Nagaland government, with security provided along the route by both state administrations.
Longkumer expressed gratitude to the Assam and Nagaland governments for their timely assistance. He also thanked Hunaru Hostel warden Bitupan Bhuyan, who, despite being Assamese, stood by the Naga students throughout the ordeal. Additionally, Longkumer acknowledged the support of fellow students at Hunaru Hostel, the Naga Students’ Union Jorhat, and everyone who helped themnavigate and resolve the situation.
Reflecting on the incident, he urged students to be mindful of local customs and sensitivities when studying outside Nagaland. “When in Rome, act like the Romans,” he said, emphasising that one person’s actions could affect the entire community. He encouraged the student involved not to lose heart, noting that mistakes can happen, but advised greater care in the future.
Of the 358 students who returned, 259 were in-campus residents and 99 were day scholars. The university will provide further instructions on when students may resume classes after the Puja holidays, which continue until October 2. Longkumer also assured that the Naga Students’ Union would work to ensure a safe return to studies for all students.
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