At the invitation of the state government on 2nd March in connection with the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU) issue, a joint team of Kuki Students’ Organisation General Headquarters (KSO-GHQ) and All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) leaders met Shri Ngamthang Haokip, Hon’ble Minister IFCD & Stationery yesterday at 9:30 a.m. at his office chamber to discuss the demands of IGNTU Students Union, KSO and ANSAM.
On behalf of the state government, Hon’ble Minister Shri Ngamthang Haokip assured the student leaders of constructing the approach road from NH2 to the University Campus at Makhan at the earliest possible time and requests the student bodies to call off the agitation of picketing PWD offices in the hill districts.
The student bodies appreciate the initiative and concern of the Hon’ble Minister who is also the circle MLA where the IGNTU campus stands however, refuse to call off the agitation as assurance after assurance had been given on IGNTU issue which repeatedly had failed to materialize. As such, the student bodies instead request the government to first start the works and anticipate positive from the agitating students.
The IGNTU students had been boycotting classes since early January demanding electricity, water supply and construction of the approach road from NH2 to the University campus at Makhan so that the next academic session of the university starts at its permanent site at Makhan, Senapati district.
As boycotting of classes seems to be of no help to meet the demands, KSO and ANSAM was compelled to take the mode of agitation at the higher level and had started picketing of PWD offices in all the hill districts of the state since 27th February.
A joint meeting of KSO-GHQ and ANSAM will be held tomorrow to further discuss on IGNTU issue and its mode of agitation which is likely to be intensified.
