Says land encroachment issue taken up 'in total coordination with ENCSU officials'
Dimapur, Aug. 17 (EMN): The Eastern Nagaland College Students Union (ENCSU) has declared its unanimous decision to back the 'students movement initiated by the All Nagaland College Students Union (ANCSU) and said that the genuine grievances raised by the ANCSU is for the interest of students' community and the state of Nagaland at large.
A press release issued by the ENCSU media cell, while endorsing the ANCSU's initiative, expressed deep anguish over the current imbroglio involving the students' community and termed ANCSU's stand as genuine which should be pursued 'in all circumstances for the sake of students'.
Saying that the future of the students' community and the fate of Nagaland cannot and will not be allowed to be compromised, the union expressed dissatisfaction at the manner in which the state government has handled the whole issue.
It also regretted, what it termed as, some people -- government officials and politicians -- with vested interests toiling to divert the actual cause, the union 'reminded those people to look beyond their lofty tables for once and act morally'.
In this connection, the ENCSU stated that the land encroachment issue was taken up "in total consensus and coordination with the ENCSU officials as we are equally concerned over the issue since it is not only happening with Kohima Science college, Jotsoma alone but the same case has also been a matter of concern for the ENCSU in various colleges across the Eastern Nagaland".
"...as such, ANCSU and ENCSU will raise the land encroachment issues of all the government institutions. It had to be started with Kohima Science College, being the premier institute in the state," stated the release.
In regard to this, the union expressed its feeling that the education sector, particularly the state owned segment, has been taken for granted for too long and therefore, demanded the government to protect the land of all the government colleges in Nagaland to avoid any future untoward consequences on the same.
Meanwhile, the ENCSU expressed shock and dismay over 'the ultimatum served' on the President of ANCSU, Katho P. Awomi by the Jotsoma Village Council (JVC) that appeared in some leading local dailies.
While expressing respect for the people of Jotsoma village, the union mentioned that as much as the issue of Kohima Science College land encroachment issue concerns the people of Jotsoma village, the larger interest is the students of Nagaland who are the future of the Nagaland.
"ANCSU/ENCSU has never been against a particular group/village or community in the past and similarly it cannot afford to be so now or in the near future. It has always been about the students community and for the students community including the students from Jotsoma village," the ENCSU stated.
While lamenting that the JVC, being an elderly and matured platform instead of using elderly wisdom to correct/guide/advice the students' community even if we are wrong', the union said that the council has 'resorted to cheap intimidation and threats siding with vested interest individuals and parties'.
"Therefore, such unqualified statement is totally uncalled for and definitely not in tune with the past actions of the JVC," the ENCSU stated.
College students' union of thirteen Dimapur-based colleges today expressed unhappiness with the state government, over what they termed as, 'for being adamant over the genuine demands of the students' community'.
The 13 college students' unions, in a single press release, also condemned a press statement issued by the Jotsoma Village Council (which was published in the local dailies recently) that "directly or indirectly threatening the president of ANCSU and hurting the sentiments of the students' community".
We the students will not remain silent if anything/any damages that may prevail or caused to the President of ANCSU and his executive members," stated the release and sought "clarification on why the President of ANCSU is namely mentioned (sic) on this matter as he speaks on behalf of the students community".
The release stated that the students, hereby, "resolves and declares any action to be initiated by the office of the ANCSU, the Dimapur based colleges students are ever ready for any consequences for the students right".
It further appealed the civil societies and different organizations to come out and support the cause of the students welfare and for the 'future generation'.
The thirteen Dimapur colleges are: Tetso College, Mount Mary College, Pranabananda Women's College, Eastern Christian College, Public College of Commerce, City College of Arts and Commerce, MGM College, St. John College, Yemhi Memorial College, Dimapur Government College, Sakus Mission College, Unity College and Cornerstone College. The release was appended by the officials, of different designations, of the said colleges; however, the names of the officials were not mentioned.
