Dimapur, October 7 : The Eastern Nagaland College Students Union (ENCSU) has temporarily suspended its phase two of third phase agitation of shutting down of government offices in Eastern Nagaland from October 8 in view of closure of government offices from October 8 to October 11 during Durga Puja. The union announced to close down all government offices in the region from October 7.
ENCSU joint secretary Nokchem Angth informed that the decision to keep the agitation in abeyance for this period was taken after thorough consultation with its apex organisations - Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO), Eastern Nagaland Women’s Organisation (ENWO), Eastern Nagaland Students’ Federation (ENSF) and its federating units.
The students’ organisation, meanwhile, cautioned the State Government that the suspension should not be taken as a consideration but rather as a window period to take an “action of deliverance”. It further warned that the agitation will resume if the government fails to take action to meet its demand to reallocate the four MBBS seats meant for the backward tribe candidates during the suspension period.
The organisation has also appealed to the general public of Eastern Nagaland to be prepared for any kind of agitation for the cause of the backward tribes.
Meanwhile, the third day of third phase agitation of ENCSU in all the four Eastern Nagaland districts passed off peacefully without any untoward incident. In Tuensang and Longleng districts, no vehicles were confiscated today. However, in Mon district one vehicle was confiscated. The Tuensang branch of State Bank of India remained closed on the day. In Kiphire district, a vehicle was also seized.
The ENCSU said all the seized vehicles will be released at 12 midnight on Friday.
ENPO seeks govt intervention
Taking a serious note of the seriousness of the ongoing development between ENCSU and the department concerned and State Government, the ENPO, in a press note, urged upon the government for immediate intervention and resolve the matter without further delay.
“It is to be reminded for consumption of the public that the aggrieved students do have a legitimate right in demanding a fair share of equation as their due and legitimate privilege,” stated the press note appended by ENPO president Khoiwang Konyak and general secretary Manlang Phom.
The apex body further alleged that the government’s policies in this regard appear to be flawed and demanded that the student community of the six tribes of Eastern Nagaland should be given their due share to participate as professionals in the governing system of the State and also for the welfare of public.
The ENPO also asked the State Government to avoid mishandling the issue in the larger interest of all concerned.
