DIMAPUR, JUNE 4 (MExN): The Nagaland State Government while stating that the ANCSU agitation today was conducted without “clearance as per the laid down rules,” said that authorities “stepped in” after it was “observed that the gathering was being incited and it became obvious that breach of peace in the State capital had taken place.”
A press statement from the Nagaland State Chief Secretary (CS), Temjen Toy said that the agitation was undertaken without the approval of the district administration and police.
“Students were gathered and made to undergo hunger strike in the State capital without any precautionary measures like water tankers, doctors, ambulances etc. Fortunately no serious untoward Incident took place,” he added. The CS said that the administration, police and law enforcing agencies “observed utmost restraint and were prepared to allow peaceful demonstrations to take place.” “Incitement” of the gathering and “breach of peace” compelled the authorities to detain the student leaders to “ensure that peace prevailed and that young innocent students should not be put to risk,” he stated.
The student leaders were released and no further detentions were carried out. The Chief Secretary added that the students also dispersed away from the place of agitation in a peaceful manner.
Meanwhile, it assured that the State Government has taken the scholarships issue as a topic of “utmost importance” and the government has taken “every possible measure to ensure that student scholarships are not withheld nor misappropriated in any manner.”
“The present State Government has ensured that students scholarships were released timely in the most transparent manner and all details have been put on the website," he added. Regarding the scholarship misuse allegations made by the CAG, the CS said the matter is being probed by the Nagaland Lokayukta and that the inquiry would bring out all the facts.
The government also assured that "if any misappropriations or misuse is found on the part of any person or official, the sternest action as per the laid down laws will be ensured,” he added.
