ANCSU accuses Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio of delaying approval for a girls' hostel project at Kohima Science College.
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KOHIMA — The All Nagaland College Students' Union (ANCSU) on Wednesday accused Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio of delaying the issuance of written approval for the construction of a 100-bed girls' hostel at Kohima Science College (Autonomous), Jotsoma.
The allegation was made during a press conference addressed by ANCSU assistant general secretary Imnawabang Lkr, general secretary Sotilo Tep, education secretary H Tunato Achumi and finance secretary T Punuvi Assumi at the union's office in Kohima.
The office-bearers reminded that the 20-day ultimatum submitted to the government on May 26 had expired.
They stated that the proposed hostel project is being funded under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of REC Ltd., under which INR 3,52,68,650 has been sanctioned.
They added that the first instalment of INR 1,05,80,595 was released on April 12, 2023.
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ANCSU warns of protest over delay in Kohima Science College hostel project
Following the ultimatum, the ANCSU leaders said that they had received information from the department concerned that the sanctioned funds would not lapse and would be utilised exclusively for the construction of the girls' hostel, and would not be returned.
However, they claimed that the department was awaiting a written directive and approval from the Chief Minister's Office, as the chief minister also holds the Finance portfolio.
The student leaders further claimed that the department had requested ANCSU to grant an additional week.
They described the situation as frustrating as the authorities were reportedly unable to obtain the chief minister's approval because he was frequently out of station.
Black Friday
As the first phase of its agitation, the ANCSU leaders announced that all its affiliated colleges would observe Black Friday on June 19 by hoisting black flags on their campuses.
The union leaders said that the symbolic protest was intended to convey that "the rights and dignity of Naga students have been killed."
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They lamented that students, who should be focused on completing their education, were instead being compelled to take to the streets to secure their basic rights.
They further remarked that if the government could not execute even a single welfare project for students, then its promises of a "greater Nagaland" would remain meaningless.
The ANCSU leaders warned that if the written approval was not issued soon, the government would face a united student movement across the state.
They said that if the government continued to delay the project even after the first phase of agitation, students would intensify their protest by taking to the streets.
"All Nagaland College Students' Union is not a body that can be bought off with verbal promises or delayed with empty calendars. We have shown our maturity by giving the department a 20-day grace period to complete the necessary paperwork for the construction of the girls' hostel," the office-bearers said.
The union leaders further asserted that they would accept no more excuses or delays, warning that the "silence of Black Friday" could transform into a movement the government would not be able to ignore.
"Our demand is simple — transparency, accountability and protection of students' interests," the ANCSU leaders said, adding that they would continue to raise their voice until the government fulfilled its responsibility towards the student community.