DIMAPUR, Aug 17 - The Nagaland Government has asked all the deputy commissioners of the State to submit a status report on cases of encroachment on land belonging to government colleges or institutions, within three months.
The Government�s move comes in the wake of the All Nagaland College Students� Union (ANCSU) launching an agitation in Kohima and Dimapur on August 10 in this regard, followed by a boycott of classes since Monday. The union, however, has kept its agitation in abeyance since Friday as a mark of respect to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away yesterday, and in view of the seven-day national mourning.
ANCSU vice president Benjong Longchar said the decision was also taken in view of the State Government�s position as well as the timely intervention of the Minister for Higher and Technical Education to resolve the issues raised by the union.
Abhishek Singh, Commissioner and Secretary to the Chief Minister, in a release, said the State Government took up certain measures to resolve the issues of the student union during the meeting held at the Chief Minister�s residential office in Kohima on August 14.
The release said the Chief Minister had directed that necessary steps should be taken to ensure that there was no disruption of academic activity in colleges and strong action should be taken against anyone who disrupts normal life or takes the law into his or her own hands.
On the issue of encroachment on land of the Kohima Science College, the Kohima Deputy Commissioner has been directed to complete the survey work and submit a report within six weeks to enable the Government to take necessary action.
On the release of scholarships for 2017-18, the Chief Minister has directed immediate release of the first instalment to students and utilisation certificates to the Government of India for release of the balance instalments.
Singh further said the Government would set up a cell for implementation of the insurance scheme for students studying outside Nagaland under which the Government would provide a sum of Rs 5 lakh in case of death of any student. He added that possibilities of entrusting the same cell with managing scholarships of all departments may be explored.
Meanwhile, the ANCSU has expressed shock and dismay over the ultimatum served to its president, Katho P Awomi, by Jotsoma Village Council.
The union clarified that the issue of shifting of the Kohima Science College located under the jurisdiction of Jotsoma village was raised only to impress upon the State Government to check land encroachment and settle scholarship and other matters at the earliest.
