All
Sumi Students’ Union (SKK) volunteers protesting in front of the Nagaland
Legislative Assembly in Kohima on Thursday. (EM Images)
- KOHIMA — Following
the expiry of its 15-day ultimatum to Nagaland government, the All Sumi
Students’ Union (SKK) staged a silent sit-in protest on Thursday at the first
gate of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), urging the government to upgrade
Khelhoshe Polytechnic Atoizu (KPA) to a full-fledged engineering college.
- The protest was organised amid the ongoing sixth session of
the 14th NLA.
- Speaking to journalists, SKK president Gihuka K Zhimo
expressed disappointment over the prolonged delay in upgrading the institute.
- “This is a sit-in protest where we are not going to use any
platform speech or any kind of social disturbances or public inconveniences.
But we are gathered here to show our disappointment and resentment over the
delay of upgrading or establishing an engineering college,” he said.
- He clarified that the SKK was not protesting because the
institute is established within the Sumi jurisdiction but because it is one of
the first and oldest polytechnics in Nagaland.
- The president expressed concern that even after more than 60
years of statehood, Nagaland does not have a common engineering
college—compelling thousands of students to go outside the state.
- “Keeping in mind the economic status of the majority of the
Naga population, we are here over the delay and stagnation of the upgradation
of KPA, which is at Asukhuto,” he added.
- Zhimo highlighted that KPA, established in 1972, is one of
the oldest polytechnics in Nagaland and has been awaiting an upgrade since a
Cabinet resolution was passed on December 17, 2007.
- “Even after 18 years of that decision, the government has
failed to implement it," he pointed out.
- Highlighting past efforts, Zhimo revealed that multiple
representations had been submitted to the government, including one to the
chief minister last year, but no concrete action had been taken. SKK submitted
an ultimatum to the Department of Technical Education on February 28, which
expired on March 5, yet no response was received from the government.
