DIMAPUR, JUNE 5 (MExN): Several organizations today issued statements condemning the way in which the ANCSU protest on June 4 in Kohima was handled by the state authorities and extended their support to the issues raised by the union.
DNSU
The Diphupar Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) while condemning the “high-handedness and irrational action of the state machinery against the agitating students,” stated that such actions will not only boost the morale of the corrupt officials to commit more offences; undermine the voice of the people; and discourage peaceful forms of dissent, which are essential in a democracy.
A press release from the DNSU also said that the charter of demands put forth by the ANCSU is just and a necessary step towards eliminating corruption that exists in Nagaland especially with regard to the Scholarship for students.
It demanded that the government come out clean and take exemplary action against the erring officials. It added that the DNSU would not hesitate to “stand and fight for the rights of the students when their life and career is put at stake in the hands of some selfish and corrupt officials.”
NNQF
The Nagaland NET Qualified Forum (NNQF) termed the government’s claim that the protesting students had “peacefully dispersed” while simultaneously using force as deplorable. It also expressed shock at the Dimapur Naga Students’ Union’s statement “at a time when they should actively be supporting ANCSU.”
While expressing relief at the release of the ANCSU President and his colleagues, the NNQF extends its solidarity to the continuing hunger strike with all their demands.
It further asked the public “not to turn a blind eye to any fight against corruption” and appealed to “Naga intellectuals, activists, churches, artists, leaders and the public to come together to voice out and fight corruption in any way they can while we still can.”
NUSU
The Nagaland University Students' Union (NUSU) comprising of four campuses viz. NU Lumami, NU Kohima, SASRD Medziphema and SET Dimapur condemned the ill treatment meted out to the students and said that the actions of government were “unnecessarily arbitrary and immature.”
It expressed hope that such events in the future are handled in a more humane and effective way as expected from the leaders. “The body also believes that this situation will be taken care of as soon as possible and the government will come up with certain solution for the prevailing issues,” it added.
PSAN
The Public Service Aspirants of Nagaland (PSAN) said that “it has become a culture for successive governments in Nagaland to turn blind and deaf and come to their senses only when people take to the streets to ask for our rights.” “There is a lack of sensitivity and proactivity among the political leaders, thus forcing the citizens to often have no option than to protest,” a press note from the association stated. It appealed to the government to look into the ANCSU’s demands and expedite the investigation into the scholarship issue.
