Primary School in Longleng occupied by Assam police, says Nagaland minister

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Aug. 5 (EMN): Independent legislator and Minister Tongpang Ozukum on Thursday said that Government Primary School (GPS) at Ladigarh in Longleng district, the building of which is now occupied by Assam police since 2007, is a “classic example” of Assam government’s encroachment.

Ozukum, who is also the minister in-charge of PWD (Mechanical and Housing) was responding to NPF legislator YM Yollow Konyak’s starred question on the year of the establishment of GPS and its location.

The minister informed that Ladigarh village was established in 1962 and was recognised by Government of Nagaland in 1969. The GPS was established in 1972 but was “captured” by Assam police in 2007.

“This is a classic example of the Assam government encroaching our land” and is a “very serious issue”, he told the house.

The minister informed that the school is now running in a makeshift hall on the outskirts of Ladigarh near Yanlong.

He went on to add that the school was given UDISE number and was running as a school under Nagaland state. Further, the GPS at Ladigarh was one of the polling stations under Tamlu sub-division, recognised by Election Commission back then.

Supplementing his question, Konyak said that the school building was “captured” by Assam Police in 2007 and the polling station has now come under Assam and not Nagaland.

Nagaland Chief Minister and leader of the House, Neiphiu Rio also supplemented to the query. He was of the opinion that tribal hohos and student unions in the area should take the matter to the court if they are to claim it.

‘If we are to seriously claim it, be it student body or tribal hohos have to take the case to the court,’ Rio said.

There is clear standing order of Supreme Court that no para military, army, police forces can occupy school premises. Yet, the school is inside the Assam police fencing, he added

He went on to ask why student unions and tribal hohos of the area did not speak up when Assam police came and occupied the land.

‘Will the government be blamed for this?’ he asked.

‘Talking about the issue on the floor of the House is not enough. Collectively, we will have to fight,’ he added.

School Education Advisor, KT Sukhalu informed that Ladigarh was mainly occupied by Nepalese and Adivasis and the village chairman was a Nepali.

‘Most of the locals (Nagas) have moved out of the village,’ he informed.

The present GPS, which is functioning close to the Nagaland Police force, have three teachers in which one is a Naga. The department has appointed an officer to visit the school and submit the report, he informed.