Khelhoshe Polytechnic Atoizu issue should not be prolonged—A
Khelhoshe Polytechnic Atoizu issue should not be prolonged—Advisor Imkong Imchen
Imkong L Imchen on Friday expressed concern over the ongoing sit-in protest by student bodies demanding the upgrade of Khelhoshe Polytechnic Atoizu (KPA). He stated that the issue should not be prolonged any further.
Student volunteers on the second day of the sit-in protest
in Kohima. (EM Images)
KOHIMA — Advisor
for Information and Public Relations (IPR) and Soil and Water Conservation,
Imkong L Imchen, on Friday expressed concern over the ongoing sit-in protest by
student bodies demanding the upgrade of Khelhoshe Polytechnic Atoizu (KPA). He
stated that the issue should not be prolonged any further.
Speaking during the Zero Hour on the fourth day of the sixth
session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), Imchen recalled that
during his tenure as Technical Education minister, he had visited the
institution and found its infrastructure and facilities to be in good
condition.
Recognising the need for a full-fledged engineering college
in Nagaland, he had proposed upgrading KPA for the same purpose through the
chief minister in the same year.
Following necessary formalities, the matter was placed
before the Cabinet in December 2007, where it was agreed to upgrade the
institution into a full-fledged engineering college.
However, despite this decision, the government has not
issued the required official notification, he said.
Imchen urged the government to take immediate steps to
implement its decision and complete the necessary formalities to establish the
engineering college without further delay.
Imchen also highlighted the historical significance of the
institution, named after Khelhoshe, who was the first Naga minister and deputy
minister in the Assam government.
Calling for swift action, the advisor reiterated that the
state government must fulfil its commitment to establishing a full-fledged
engineering college at Khelhoshe Polytechnic Atoizu.
It may be mentioned that neither the advisor nor the
minister-in-charge, apart from Advisor Imkong L Imchen, had made any statement
regarding the issue until the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the sit-in protest spearheaded by the All Sumi
Students’ Union (SKK) and supported by the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) and
other tribal student unions entered its second day.
On Friday, the protestors began their demonstration at 9 am
in front of the Directorate of Technical Education to express their resentment
against the government, as cabinet ministers, legislators, and bureaucrats made
their way to the NLA session.
After solidarity speeches from leaders representing various
student unions, the protestors marched to the first gate of the NLA. The
speakers included NSF President Medovi Rhi, All Nagaland College Students’
Union President Tenyesinlo Bukh, Angami Students’ Union President Khriesamhalie
David Mere, and Chakhesang Students’ Union President Pfhulo Sara.
A solidarity speech was delivered by the president of Kohima
Lotha Students’ Union, who also read out a message of support from the Lotha
Students’ Union.
Meanwhile, SKK President Gihuka K Zhimo stated that the
student bodies were compelled to take up the matter in the form of a protest
because of government inaction.
He maintained that when the SKK had launched the sit-in
protest on Wednesday, not a single legislator from the state government came
out to acknowledge the students' efforts.
Zhimo declared that they would not step back unless the
issue was addressed in the interest of the younger generation.
