7-DAY ULTIMATUM ON H&FW DEPTT TO VACATE
To press its demand for relocation of sub-centre located at premises of government middle school (GMS) Midland, the Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest at GMS Midland premises.
DNSU has demanded that immediate vacation of classrooms of GMS Midland, which have been occupied by health department. The student body has served a seven-day ultimatum on the department to vacate the premises and warned of intensified agitation if demands were not met.
During the protest, students of GMS were also seen holding placards some of which read “No more delay, no more excuses”, “Collapse of an education is the collapse of a nation” Students unite, Justice ignite” etc.
According to DNSU, the presence of a health centre within the school premises has disrupted the academic environment and posed a potential risk to students. DNSU said it issued multiple press statements on September 5, November 7, and November 27, but received no positive response from the concerned authorities.
Despite directives from the education department on July 5 and October 8, 2024, instructing the health department to vacate the classrooms, DNSU said the situation remained unresolved.
During the protest, DNSU president Hinoto P. Aomi said that a school and a medical institution cannot coexist in the same building. He reiterated the students’ right to a conducive learning environment and urged the authorities to act responsibly.
“This blatant disregard for student welfare and administrative orders is unacceptable. If the department fails to vacate the premises within seven days, we will be left with no choice but to escalate our protest through democratic and non-violent means,” DNSU president asserted.
The protest also witnessed speeches from DNSU members and representatives of various student units condemning the continued occupation. The speakers expressed concerns over student safety, improper disposal of biomedical waste, and the overall deterioration of the academic environment.
An ultimatum letter addressed to the principal director H&FW was submitted through the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dimapur, demanding an immediate relocation of the dispensary to a suitable alternative site.
DNSU warned that failure to comply would lead to stronger protests, including public demonstrations and legal action. Student leaders from various communities, including representatives from Lotha, Sumi, and Angami tribes, expressed solidarity with DNSU. They warned that if the issue was ignored, protests could escalate further.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg. If the government does not act within the given timeframe, we will take the movement to the next level. The future of our students cannot be jeopardized for bureaucratic inefficiency,” one of the speakers stated.
Meanwhile, additional deputy commissioner (ADC) Dimapur, Zakabo V. Rotoka, who received the ultimatum, stated that the administration, along with council members, had inspected the school and discussed resolving the issue at the earliest. ADC informed that health department had submitted a request to identify and allocate a plot of land for the relocation of one of the departments. ADC assured that the matter would be resolved within a day or two, with the revenue branch actively working to identify and allocate the necessary land.