Organizations call for an end to land encroachment of KSC campus
Kohima, JUNE 10 (MExN): Various associations affiliated with the Kohima Science College in Jotsoma have expressed alarm at the “unabated encroachment of the college campus by private parties”. A letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Kohima stated that the college campus is being “rapidly chipped away” in total disregard of the standing agreement between the land donors and the government, which says that no land of the college will be allocated to private parties/individuals with effect from 1990. The letter was appended by the President of the Teachers Association, KSC; President of the Parent-Teachers Association, KSC; President of the Alumni Association, KSC and the Students Union, KSC.
It asserted that it is imperative to “contain the cancer of land encroachment”. It added that the present issue concerns not just higher education but the Naga public in general. The letter reminded that “the caretaker of public property is morally obliged to protect the interest of the people, and not harm it by pandering to individual’s wants.” It further observed that there are only two options: “whether to accept land encroachment as the norm and thus endorse the demise of the institution, or to actively resist it.” The letter stated that the various associations would take every democratic step to protect “this seat of learning for the people of the state.”
The letter appealed for the government to immediately halt all private construction activities in the college campus and revoke allotments made after 1990 as per the agreement between Jotsoma village and the Governor of Nagaland.
The letter further said the institute has done an “unequalled job” in providing science education to the youth of Nagaland. It stated that with an aim to enhance learning opportunities and increase the intake capacity of the college, the college has forwarded to the state government several proposals regarding the expansion in academics and supporting infrastructure. It informed that the college has detailed the introduction o master and research programmes in several disciplines and new employment friendly bachelor degrees. It expressed optimism that the government would clear the proposals and expressed hope that the college would eventually attain the status of a university. The letter called upon the authorities and the public to ensure that the college meets the aspirations of the present and future generations.
It however added that the basic requirement for attainment of this ideal is land, “to provide ground for new physical infrastructure and space to nurture ideal academic atmosphere.”
It asserted that passive tolerance with regard to land encroachment would only lead to “inevitable loss a valuable public asset”. It stated that this “general apathy” would gradually erode the commitment and sense belonging amongst the college fraternity and added, “What will remain is a third rate institute, good only for employment.”
