GUWAHATI, Feb 10 � A group of former and current students of Cotton College has written to the Chief Election Commissioner and Commissioner and Secretary, Education Department urging them to take immediate steps to restrict use of the college premises for election purposes.
The group suggested that the authority concerned should opt for places like Sarusajai sports complex and other stadium premises for election purposes instead of educational institutes, including the Cotton College.
Samiran Baishya, ex- general secretary of the Cotton College Union Society (CCUS) speaking to media persons, said, �The authority takes over class rooms in view of the elections and use them as strong room, training centre and distribution centre, which affects the functioning of the college for almost two months. The worst affected is the Geology department. Last time, the practical exams of the Postgraduate students had to be postponed due to election, which is very unfortunate.�
�The State has enough infrastructures to accommodate election-related activities and not compromise with the education system at the same time,� Baishya stated, ruing that even movement of students during the election are affected within the college campus.
�We have written to the authorities concerned and hope they would look into it seriously,� he said, referring to a directive of Election Commission where it stated that the authorities should explore the possibilities for the availability of other suitable alternatives so that educational institutes are least affected.
Vice president of the CCUS Pradyut Bikas Gogoi said that the move has been initiated in the interest of all the educational institutes.
