The All Sümi Students’ Union (SKK) organized a mass rally at Zunheboto town center on Sunday, intensifying its demand for the upgradation of Khelhoshe Polytechnic Atoizu (KPA) into an engineering degree college. The protest saw participation from various organizations, including the Central Nagaland Students’ Association (CNSA) and the Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM), along with other Sümi bodies and the public.
The rally, which commenced at 10:00 AM, was attended by members of Sümi Hoho, Sümi Kukami Hoho, Sümi Totimi, and several student and frontal organizations, all standing in solidarity with SKK’s demand. Protesters carried banners and placards calling for immediate government action, emphasizing the need for improved technical education infrastructure in the state.
SKK announces shutdown of government offices in Zunheboto
Following the rally, the SKK has announced that all government offices within Zunheboto Town will remain closed and the movement of government vehicles will be halted starting March 11, 2025, as part of their ongoing peaceful agitation.
The offices exempted from this shutdown include Medical, Fire, Military, Emergency Services, and Educational Institutions. The union has stated that this intensified action is necessary due to the government’s failure to address their demands despite peaceful protests, repeated representations, and ultimatums.
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The main demand of the union is the implementation of the Cabinet’s approval of December 17, 2007, for the upgradation of KPA into a full-fledged Degree Course Engineering College.
The SKK emphasized that this agitation is for the welfare and future of the students’ community in Nagaland and urged the public to support their cause. They also requested the public to bear with any inconvenience caused by the shutdown.
AKM extends support to SKK
The Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) has expressed full support for the demand of the All Sümi Students’ Union (SKK) for the upgradation of Khelhoshe Polytechnic Atoizu (KPA) into an engineering degree college. The AKM reaffirmed its solidarity with SKK on this issue, highlighting the urgency of the matter.
Khelhoshe Polytechnic Atoizu, which holds the distinction of being the first and oldest polytechnic in Nagaland, has long faced neglect, according to the AKM.
“KPA, the first and oldest polytechnic in Nagaland, has been neglected since its inception,” the AKM stated. Despite the Nagaland Cabinet approving the upgradation of KPA into a full-fledged engineering degree college in 2007, the decision has yet to be fulfilled, exposing a lack of political will to address the state’s technical education needs.
“The absence of a government engineering college in Nagaland has forced countless students to seek technical education outside the state, placing immense financial and emotional burdens on families,” the AKM pointed out.
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The AKM emphasized that the government must be held accountable for its failure to implement its own decisions. “This continued neglect is unacceptable, and the government must be held accountable for its failure to implement its own decision,” said the AKM.
In their statement, the AKM reaffirmed their commitment to standing with the SKK. “AKM stands united with SKK in demanding immediate action from the government to fulfill its long-overdue commitment,” the AKM declared. They further stressed that the student community would not remain silent while Nagaland’s youth continued to be deprived of their right to technical education.
The AKM urged the authorities to take swift action without further delay. “We urge the authorities to act without further delay,” they added, underscoring the need for immediate change.
ANCSU urges immediate action for upgradation of KPA
The All-Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) has expressed deep concern over the lack of progress in upgrading Khelhoshe Polytechnic Atoizu into a full-fledged engineering college, despite the state’s Cabinet’s approval in 2007.
In a memorandum addressed to the Chief Secretary of Nagaland, ANCSU highlighted the urgency of addressing this issue, noting that “despite the state cabinet meeting held on 17 December 2007, approval for the introduction of a civil engineering course and up-gradation of a degree engineering college at Khelhoshe Polytechnic Atoizu is a grave concern.” The union pointed out that no concrete action has been taken by the state government to fulfill this commitment, even after several representations, including a formal representation by ANCSU dated May 28, 2024.
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The union further emphasized the continued inaction on this matter, which has persisted “even after peaceful protest initiated by All Sumi Students’ Union (SKK) and representation of the ANCSU,” revealing what they termed as the government’s failure “to address the genuine demand of the students’ community.” ANCSU has called on the state government to “promptly take immediate steps for up-gradation of Khelhoshe Polytechnic Atoizu to a full-fledged Engineering College without delay.” The memorandum warns that any further delay could lead to “retaliation and confrontation from the students’ community.”
The memorandum, signed by President Tenyesinlo Bukh and General Secretary Kivinoka A Sema, urges the Chief Secretary for prompt action on the matter, with ANCSU “earnestly anticipating positive action” from the government.