Correspondent
KOHIMA, DECEMBER 3
IRKED over the delay in issuing work orders for construction of the already approved Government Polytechnic Institution at Pangti village in Wokha district, agitated land owner
Ekyimo Kikon, supported by Panti Village Students Union and Doyang Fishermen Union (DFU), staged ‘naked protest’ at Directorate of Technical Education, Nagaland today.Besides the naked protest, the protestors also held placards demanding justice and issuance of work order without delay so that the much needed institute for the district is established.
Talking to this correspondent in presence of the Pangti VSU officials and DFU, Ekyimo Kikon said the work order for construction of the institute was issued on May 30 last to four districts, except Wokha district by the Directorate of Technical Education despite having approved by the state government.
Considering the delay in issuing the work order, an ultimatum was submitted to the Commissioner and Secretary Department of Technical Education by the land owner while the Pangti VSU had submitted a representation to the Parliamentary Secretary Information Technology & Communication, Technical Education, Science & technology and Taxes, Government of Nagaland on November 27 last.
However, failure of the Department to issue the work order led to the land owner, DFU and Pangti VSU staging naked protest to fulfill their demand.
However, he said that the accepting the assurance of the Chief Minister’s Office made through the Special Secretary to Chief Minister to seriously look into the matter within few days, the agitators suspended their protest within an hour till December 10.
He, however, warned that failure on the part of the Directorate on or before December 10 would result in resumption of the ‘naked protest’ till the demands are fulfilled.
Meanwhile, Pangti VSU information and publicity secretary in its representation to the Parliamentary Secretary said “initially the government decided to establish the Polytechnic at Renbemo Li Tongti near Doyang Hydel Project, for which all formalities including submission of technical feasibility report and land acquisition was completed.
“Work order for starting the construction at the site was about to be issued when the project was stopped all of a sudden on one premise or the other, PVSU said.
It also recalled writing to the Director of Information Technology and Technical Education on July 11 last on this issue, but no action has been taken so far.
It said unwanted situation and bad blood have been created among the people because of the government going back on its decision.
The Pangti VSU therefore appealed to the Parliamentary Secretary to intervene in this matter and resolve the issue at the earliest so that “we may not lag too far behind other district in setting up the Polytechnic institute”.
It also appealed for initiating action such that the government order issued during DAN-II on this matter is not dishonoured during DAN-III government.
