DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 19 (MExN): The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) has condemned the recent incident in which the Pro-Vice Chancellor (PVC) of Nagaland University's Meriema Campus was “harassed and threatened by a group of individuals purportedly from Meriema village.”
A press release from the NSF said that it is deeply concerned about this incident, which it said “jeopardizes the safety and well-being of a respected academic leader and raises questions about inclusivity within the university community.”
The NSF stated that the incident, which occurred on October 16, “stemmed from disagreements related to bill payments for the construction of roads leading to the new engineering campus.” “It is crucial to note that there are established procedures for releasing bills, including the involvement of a construction monitoring committee to certify work completion before payment approval,” the NSF said.
Despite the sensitivity of the issue and the need for immediate intervention of the Vice-Chancellor, the NSF expressed dismay at the lackadaisical attitude of the VC at Nagaland University headquarters in Lumami, the response for which has been “inadequate, leaving the campus community feeling unheard.”
It also questioned the timing of the fact-finding committee's visit from Lumami, which only took place after the Pro-Vice Chancellor was threatened. It is crucial that matters of discrimination and harassment are addressed promptly and effectively, it added.
The NSF urged the Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University to assume his responsibility as the head of the institution and engage in dialogue with the campus community. “We have confidence that the fact-finding committee will work towards an amicable solution within the stipulated period,” it said.
The federation meanwhile recognized the complexity of land ownership issues and called upon the State Government to play a pivotal role in settling these disputes (as per the MoU), so that such issues does not surface in the near future.
It emphasized that this incident should not lead to division between the university and the local community, and rather encouraged peaceful coexistence and collaboration for the betterment of education and development in the region.
The NSF demanded accountability, justice, and a swift resolution to the issues faced by Nagaland University's Meriema Campus. “The safety and well-being of students and faculty, along with the overall academic environment, should be the utmost priority for the university authorities,” it stressed.
No officers should made to undergo such treatment, says Rengma Selo Zi
The Rengma Selo Zi also condemned the incident and said that the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof GT Thong “is one of the senior-most Advisors of the RSZ and is a strong proponent of work ethics and integrity at all levels and as such we fail to understand as to what morale wrong he might have committed to warrant such mistreatment.”
“In a civilized society where we live in, using threat and intimidation to resolve issues has no place and scope and the RSZ strongly objects to the use of such practice towards any officers discharging their duties diligently. Any institution or government agency has laid-down protocols that need to be strictly adhered to; so as to remain compatible and relevant to the changing demands of the times and no officer should be penalized for holding on to the etiquette which RSZ believes is made very obvious in the present case,” a press release from the RSZ stated.
It urged the rightful authority to intervene at the earliest and settle the matter in the right way and spirit; and to ensure that no officers are made to undergo such treatment “lest we discourage upright and efficient officers from discharging their duties effectively which will in the long run only derail the progress of our Naga society at large and in the case in point, stunt the growth of the highest institute of learning in Nagaland.”
