Dimapur, Aug 16 (EMN): Dimapur, Aug. 16 (EMN): The All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) has denied allegations that it had issued threats to ‘vandalise’ private or government buildings should the authorities fail to resolve issues as being demanded by the students. The Jotsoma Village Council had issued a statement on Aug. 15 to the newspapers, seeking a clarification from the college organisation for the reported threat.
The ANCSU issued a response on Thursday expressing shock at what it stated was an ultimatum to its president by the council. The union has been demanding from the Nagaland government early resolution of issues concerning land encroachment at Kohima Science College Jotsoma and other institutions across the state; and scholarship.
“The ANCSU openly reiterates that the issue in no matter should be personalized and therefore the union is constraint to put on record a clarification to the JVC that the union in no occasion or statement has asked for vandalizing of any private or government buildings,” the group stated. In fact, the press release read, the ANCSU had asked the government to take action against three government institutions ‘as an example’ of evicting land-encroaching individuals/parties after proper survey; if the institutions cannot be evicted then the government should “acquire more land to Kohima Science College” with the condition that the existing government institutions should not occupy more land of the college.
The union stated surprise about what may have “conspired in the chief minister’s office (CMO) to spread untold comments of the ANCSU to those not present in the meeting.”
The union “flatly rejects the claim that it has demanded to shift Kohima Science College out of Jotsoma village jurisdiction,” the ANCSU stated.
Instead, according to the ANCSU, it was on the day of the meeting with the chief minister that a government official ‘openly challenged the union to go and remove the three government institution instead, which is totally uncalled for.’
Due to ‘such unwelcoming circumstances,’ the union lamented, the meeting was inconclusive. ‘The ANCSU being a intellect (sic) union in no manner neither had nor will take any steps that will insult any individual or group,’ the press release stated.
The union stated another clarification: During the meeting at the CMO, the union had only mentioned that should the government be unable to settle the issue ‘then it may be shifted to place where Kohima Science College will grow and become a university soon.’
“However, the statement is off the record and could only be taken as a debating means to pressure the government. The president ANCSU therefore stands clarified and that the Jotsoma Village Council may understand the delay tactic played by the state government,” the union added.
Union notes officer’s threat
The union issued another statement noting what it called a comment of a government officer, “who did not wish to be named,” and whose comment was published on Thursday, August 16. The ANCSU termed the officer’s statement ‘immature’ and ‘irresponsible’.
“Reacting to student’s movement in such manner is uncalled for and is unexpected from a responsible government officer. The ANCSU also terms the meeting with honourable chief minister on 14th August as ‘inconclusive’ because there is no written assurance or record from the government. The ANCSU shall not accept/acknowledge mere verbal assurances, which is an old school tactics of delaying,” the union stated.
The union expressed dismay that the officer would even threaten the students with how ‘they would come under police registry, which become a blotch in their records.’ Calling it a mockery and uncalled for, the union expressed shock that the students’ community was being threatened not to allow protests for issues confronting the students’ community.
“The concerned (sic) openly challenged the integrity of the office of the ANCSU. The statement from the irresponsible government official who is behind the curtain intends to plot and create doubts in the minds of the general public,” it stated.
The union accused the government of failing to address the ‘chronic land issue of Kohima Science College’ for many years. “The issue has been neglected by the successive state government over the years. The ANCSU is anguished to ascertain the delay in the part of the state government for not being serious enough in bringing out a proper land survey report till date.”
“The student’s community has every right to protest/confront the state government in its own democratic means to fulfil its genuine demands,” the ANCSU reminded. “The state government shall be held responsible for any kind of untoward situations that may cause damage or harm to any students concerned.”
