The Nagaland government has asked all the deputy commissioners of the state to submit a status report within three months on any case of encroachment of land belonging to government colleges or institutions.
The government move comes in the wake of All Nagaland College Students Union (ANCSU) launching agitation in the form of a peaceful demonstration in Kohima on August 10 followed by boycott of classes since Monday. The union, however, has kept its agitation in abeyance from Friday as a mark of respect to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and in view of the seven-day national mourning.
ANCSU vice president Benjong Longchar said the decision was also taken in view of the position of the state government as well as the timely intervention of the minister for higher and technical education to resolve the issues raised by the union and also in view of willingness of the state government in this regard.
Commissioner and secretary to CM Abhishek Singh in a release said the state government has taken up certain measures to resolve the issues during the meeting held at the chief minister’s residential office in Kohima on August 14.
The release said the chief minister also directed that necessary steps may be taken to ensure that there was no disruption of academic activity in colleges and strong action be taken against anyone who disrupts normal life or takes law in his or her own hands. He said all possible action can be taken for maintenance of public order.
On the issue of encroachment on Kohima Science College land, the Kohima deputy commissioner has been directed to complete the survey work and submit the report within six weeks to enable the government to take necessary action as deemed fit.
On release of scholarship for the year 2017-18, the chief minister has directed immediate release of the first instalment to the students and utilisation certificate submitted to government of India for release of the balance instalments.
The release said possibilities of releasing scholarship from state’s resources, pending release of scholarship money, be explored especially in view of the poor financial position of the state.
Singh further said the government would set up a cell for implementation of the insurance scheme for students studying outside Nagaland under which the government will provide a sum of Rs 5 lakh in case of unfortunate death of any such student. He also said possibilities of entrusting the same cell for managing scholarships of all departments may be explored.
Meanwhile, the ANCSU expressed shock and dismay over the ultimatum served to its president Katho P Awomi by Jotsoma Village Council.
The union explained that the issue of shifting of Kohima Science College located under Jotsoma village jurisdiction was raised only to impress upon the state government to settle land encroachment in the college, scholarship and land encroachment/dispute issues all over the state at the earliest.
It said the issue should not be personalised and also denied having threatened to vandalise any private or government building.