Several student bodies and organisations have condemned the police action against the ANCSU members and student volunteers in Kohima on Tuesday.
NSF: Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has expressed strong resentment on the state government machineries for resorting to lathi-charge, manhandling and the use of water canon against peaceful agitating students in uniform, called by ANCSU at Nagaland Civil Secretariat. NSF media cell, said it took serious note on the detainment of ANCSU president along with two of his colleagues and president of Capital College Students’ Union.
NSF said it strongly objected to the highhandedness of the police and termed it as ‘heinous’, while at the same time appealed to the agitating members for calm and to show restraint. Acknowledging the demand of ANCSU as ‘genuine’, NSF extended its solidarity to the affected members.
Meanwhile, NSF reiterated on its stand that priority will be given to students’ issues and for this it appealed to the state government to resolve the issues with the urgency.
NLSF: Nagaland Law Students’ Federation (NLSF) strongly condemned the highhandedness of the state government in arresting the ANCSU president and members. In a press release, NLSF president C Talimoa Chishi and general secretary Dieku Wetsah stated that such act on the part of the government was unconstitutional and asked the government under what provision of law the police arrested the student leader. Asserting that ANCSU was fighting for the genuine cause, NLSF said it would support such cause or demand. The federation has appealed to the government disburse scholarship to students.
DNSU: Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has expressed distress over the alleged detention of ANCSU officials during peaceful dharna and use of water cannon on the students. In a press release, DNSU president Sedevilie Angami and general secretary B Mhajan Tsopoe said that “such coercive approach” by the government towards the student body over the genuine cause was a serious concern.
Regardless of any motives and reasons, DNSU said it extend full support to the demand of the ANCSU. DNSU has requested the government to take up the matter without unnecessary delay in order to avoid any untoward incidents in the future.
SKK: All Sumi Students’ Union (SKK) has expressed concern over state government’s handling of matter relating to ANCSU demand on the misappropriation of students’ stipend. In a press note, SKK president Atokiho Sumi and general secretary Hutoshe Kits also strongly condemned the picking up of ANCSU officials and firing water cannon on peaceful college student volunteers. SKK said detention of ANCSU officials was with an attempt to coerce the student body from staging democratic movement against corruption prevailing in the department. Describing ANCSU’s charter of demands as “genuine and appropriate”, SKK urged the state government to make public the list of officials responsible for misappropriation of scholarship and initiate punitive action without further delay.
Stating that it was “closely observing” the development taking place, SKK warned that the state government would be held solely responsible should there be any fallout due to mishandling of the situation and shielding the corrupt officials.
ENCSU: Eastern Nagaland College Students’ Union (ENCSU) has strongly opposed detention of ANCSU president and his colleagues by the state police.
In a press release, ENCSU president M Longre Chang and general secretary Wangnei Jessuhu expressed anguish over the use of water cannon and lathicharge on students by police force. ENCSU has demanded that the responsible authority and the state government immediately take up the students demands. It cautioned that the state government would be held responsible if any untoward incident occurred to the students.
NPRAAF: Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) has expressed “unhappiness” over the arrest of ANCSU president Katho P Awomi along with the other student leaders who were peacefully and democratically protesting against withholding of scholarship fund meant for the students of Nagaland.
NPRAAF through its information and publicity cell reminded the state government the Supreme Court had upheld that peaceful protest was a fundamental right guaranteed in the constitution.
The forum stated that highhandedness of the government against ANCSU was also a denial of rights guaranteed to the citizens under article 14, 19 and 21 of the constitution.
In the light of the above, NPRAAF has appealed to the state government “to refrain illegal action against citizens” who democratically and constitutionally observe peaceful protest to demand their due rights.
NPRAAF has also appealed to the state government to immediately release the scholarship fund without further confrontation with the student community.
NSSU: Northern Sumi Students Union (NSSU) have condemned the arrest of ANCSU president Katho P Awomi and his colleagues by police while staging an indefinite hunger strike against the misappropriation of scholarship fund.
In a statement, NSSU president Puluto G Awomi also expressed concern over the scholarship issue and the failure of the state government to deliver justice. The union extended it full support and cooperation to ANCSU in fighting against menace of corruption.
TSUD: Tenyimi Students’ Union Dimapur (TSUD) education secretary, Timothy Chalai, has condemned the high handedness of the government in dealing with students on scholarship issue.
In this regard, TSUD urged the chief minister to intervene and ensure that no students were harmed in any manner during the peaceful, democratic means of protest and also ensure that justice is served to the student community. The union reaffirmed to stand by the ANCSU against “all odds” to ensure that the students get their due justice.
DNYO: Diphupar Naga youth organization (DNYO) has also condemned the arrest of ANCSU president and his colleagues. In a press release, DNYO president, Kikheto Sumi stated that it was high time politicians see the gravity of the issue and hear the plight of the students and public in general. DNYO also warned that if any untoward incident occured, the state government shall be responsible and answerable.