Chang student body to close Sao Chang College in Nagaland

DIMAPUR — The Chang Wedoshi Setshang (Chang Students’ Conference) informed on Wednesday that it would initiate its “1st phase of agitation” by shutting down Sao Chang College, Tuensang from October 12, to protest the failure of Higher Education department in addressing the issues faced by the institute.

Notifying the deputy commissioner of Tuensang through a letter, the CWS stated that it had, on September 8, 2023, submitted a memorandum to the Directorate of Higher Education, before serving an ultimatum to the department on September 26, in connection with issues faced by students of Sao Chang College.

Consequently, the department invited the CWS for a consultative meeting on October 11 and had a ‘thorough deliberation’ on the charter of demands mentioned in the memorandum, said the apex student body of the Chang community. “However, the department has failed to give any assurance or to solicit on our views regarding the concerned matter (sic),” it added.

Dismayed by the response of the concerned department, the student body decided to shut down Sao Chang College till its demands are fulfilled.

In its memorandum submitted to the Higher Education department in September, the student body had outlined a list of demands, including the appointment of a principal for Sao Chang College, to address staff shortage issue (both teaching and non-teaching), upgrade the science laboratory, and provide adequate college buses.

Also read: CWS urges Nagaland government to address grievances of Sao Chang College students