Dimapur, November 7 (MExN): The Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has reiterated its demand for the relocation of the sub-centre from the premises of Government Middle School (GMS) Midland, Dimapur.
It also expressed concern that, despite its previous appeal, the colony council, along with the health department, is allegedly considering converting the building premises into a fully-fledged sub-centre, terming the move “absurd.”
While the health of citizens is important, it is equally paramount to respect the sanctity of educational institutions, it asserted, adding that the location of a health institution within an educational institution’s premises poses a grave threat to the health of both students and teachers.
Further elaborating on its demand in a press release, the DNSU informed that its officials visited GMS Midland on September 25 and verified that the school has obtained the patta (land deed) for its present building based on a Gift Deed from three donors: Bhupen Paira, Mohan Paira, and Kumar Paira. The donors are sons of the late Gopinath Paira, and the land legally belongs to the school; no other entity or group can claim ownership of the land, it said.
The DNSU also pointed out that an official order was issued by the Principal Director of School Education on July 5, directing the medical department to vacate the building immediately.
However, to date, this order has not been complied with, and the medical department continues to occupy the building illegally, as verified by DNSU officials on November 6, it maintained.
The union further expressed dismay at the Department of School Education's inability to protect its properties and resources from what it described as “wanton encroachments and infringements by people with vested interests who aim to secure Government contracts from multiple departments by presenting the same building repeatedly to show that contract works have been executed.”
The DNSU also expressed shock that the medical department started a dispensary on the first floor of the GMS building in 2011, reportedly provided by the Midland Council, with measurements of 35x26, when the building is not the property of the council.
Thus, it questioned the modus operandi of officials in the medical department, arguing that the “co-existence of a medical facility within the school premises is untenable.” This situation should be justified by both the medical department and the Midland Council, it added.
During the school visitation, the DNSU had also learnt the “Midland Council has been illegally occupying” its office for two decades without “holding a public meeting even once, which is unacceptable and outrageous in a civilised democratic society,” it alleged.
Accordingly, the union demanded that the Deputy Commissioner immediately dissolve the current Midland Council and that a new team be democratically elected by the residents of Midland.
To this end, the DNSU appealed to all right-thinking citizens of Dimapur, especially residents of Midland Colony, to come together to resolve the matter.
Further, the union urged the concerned authorities to address the issue within a week, cautioning that the students’ community would be compelled to take further legal and democratic action if its grievances are not met.
The council and administrators would also be held responsible for any consequences, it added.
