Expressing its dissatisfaction at the State government not making report of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) public even after lapse of 14 months, Eastern Nagaland College Students’ Union (ENCSU) has warned of disrupting Republic Day celebrations on January 26.
In a press release issued by its president M Longre Chang and general secretary Wangnei C Jessuhu, the union also urged all Eastern Nagaland region students in particular and Nagas in general to be mentally prepared to fight for justice as it could announce a final movement against non-release of full scholarship and non-publication of the SIT report anytime. It recalled the stir was kept on abeyance since December 7, 2017 after having received an assurance from the government.
ENCSU recalled that the SIT was constituted to probe into alleged misuse of students’ scholarship fund by the higher education department.
Mentioning that the government was hiding the SIT report even as Naga students were “thirsty for their due share of scholarship”, the union further accused the higher education department of trying to kill the career of students.
Calling for making the SIT report available in public domain, ENCSU questioned the State government why it was trying to save those involved in misuse of scholarship money despite setting up SIT to catch the accused officials. It also demanded to know why the government could not reveal the report after having admitted during a cabinet meeting that the PMS fund was misused by the department.
The union demanded to know from the department on what ground the recovery amount was adjusted to 2017-18 and why it was kept in the State exchequer, even as it reiterated of not compromising or sitting silent, if the government failed to deliver justice.
ENCSU warned the State government that in an event of its failure to meet the demand of students, it was ready to initiate its own course of action.
Claiming to have all facts of the matter, the union asked the government to punish the two persons involved in misuse of the scholarship fund. It also demanded that the government come up with a solution to its own problem immediately, while asking not to take advantage of patience shown by thousand of Naga Students.
“The government should do what is just because people responsible for PMS misuse shall be held accountable at any cost,” the students’ body cautioned.
Pointing out that thousands of students had placed faith on SIT and expected timely release of scholarship fund, ENCSU said it was the second time that the higher education department had failed to release students’ scholarship on time.
Calling for publication of the SIT report so that the people could know the truth, the union reminded the government that the probe team was set up for the welfare of student community.
“We, as custodian of students, will continue to fight to safeguard and protect the interests of the students,” it added.
Appeal to governor
Meanwhile, ENCSU appealed to governor PB Acharya to intervene in the matter and even recommend CBI probe for proper investigation, to force the higher education department and the minister concerned to come out with SIT report.
The union alleged that the government had also refused to furnish the SIT report despite filing an RTI application.