The Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) sealed the Government Middle School (GMS) Midland on February 28, protesting the Department of Health & Family Welfare’s occupation of classrooms. In response, a meeting was held today, 1 March, in the DC Conference Hall Dimapur with the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), DNSU representatives, and the Midland colony council in attendance.
Following the meeting, Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, Tinojongshi Chang, stated, “We have requested them to give us three months.” He assured the DNSU that the issue would be addressed in that time frame.
The Health Department clarified that back in 2010-11, the Midland colony had generously handed over the land to them, leading to the construction of three rooms at a cost of around five lakh rupees. Of the three rooms, two are used as a town sub-centre, and one room was allocated for school use. Additionally, the 15th Finance Commission in 2021-22 sanctioned 28 lakh rupees for upgrading the town council, although the funds have yet to be utilized, as noted by the CMO.
The situation was further complicated by the existence of two Midland councils. According to the Deputy Commissioner, both councils have been urged to resolve the matter amongst themselves.
The DNSU president stated that the sealing of the building should have been done by the authorities, not the students.
As part of the compromise, the Deputy Commissioner requested the DNSU to allow three months to find an alternative solution. “If there is no cooperation from the town council, I will personally intervene,” Chang assured.
The DNSU president expressed confidence in the sincerity of the Deputy Commissioner, stating, “Because of our DC’s sincerity and humbleness, we have given them the three periods. Our DEO also suggested that the three months period must be given, so we gave it.”
The issue is expected to be resolved within the given timeframe, with both sides awaiting further developments.