Student bodies outside Nagaland serve 2-day ultimatum to govt.

Dimapur, May 20 (EMN): Aggrieved by the state government’s inaction over its demand to arrange transportation for those stranded outside Nagaland, over a dozen Naga student bodies based in various states and cities have served a two-day ultimatum to the government to solve the issue, failing which they said, would have a huge repercussion on stranded people.

All Cities Covid-19 Task Force for Nagaland, a conglomeration of 17 student bodies from across India, has written a memorandum to the chief minister of the state, stating that they were “deeply outraged” by the government’s indifferent attitude towards their pleas.

“If the government is going to arrange transportation, kindly see to it that it is arranged at the earliest without any delay because we are facing unprecedented issues and challenges with every passing day. Our people are in constant fear of getting evicted,” the memorandum read, adding that landlords are forcing “our brothers and sisters to leave and go to their respective state as the train services are available now”.

The student leaders stated that they were handling several cases like landlords locking the flats for non-payment of rent; turning off water supply and electricity for the same reason; and even “asking for sexual favours in return for staying in their rented apartment”.

The student bodies have requested the government to co-ordinate with other state governments and Naga student unions to make evacuation of stranded vulnerable people hassle-free.

‘For the transportation, provide a proper fixed date; pick-up point and send the notification to all the respective DCs or DMs of the concern states. This notification should also contain the arrangements of vehicles to pick-up in a nearest point. Most of the people are relying solely on the dates to stock rations, to give fixed dates to the landlords or company accommodation,’ the memorandum read.

It also asked the government why the Covid-19 helpline refers calls back to student leaders regarding transport arrangements when the student leaders are apprised of any such arrangements.

The student bodies went on to express the need to come up with alternate arrangements for those who can’t fill ‘special package or returnee declaration forms due to various issues like non-possession of smart phones, no access to internet and receiving information late’.

“We (student leaders) have been working as FRONTLINERS for our stranded citizens outside Nagaland. Leaving aside of our safety, we are exposed to more dangers everyday trying to help our stranded brothers and sisters from Nagaland. But when the government who is our only hope does not respond even to our queries, we are left perplexed and mortified,” it read.