Kohima, August 28: The apex students' body, Naga Students' Federation (NSF) today launched its first phase of agitation against the Nagaland Govt by sitting-in-demonstration holding placards and banners in front the Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima.

NSF General Secretary, Hetoi Chishi talking to media persons on the sidelines of the agitation said that the agitation was launched against the State Govt's failure to constitute a State Level Independent Enquiry Committee to probe into various charges over the implementation of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) projects throughout the State.

Refuting the State Govt statement that implementation of SSA projects in the State has been satisfactory, he said enquiry conducted by the NSF committee has revealed that except for Wokha, Zunheboto and some parts of Tuensang and Mon districts the implementation report in other districts are not satisfactory.

The NSF also opined that SSA being a Centrally Sponsored Scheme should be implemented sincerely in order to uplift the standard of education in the State.

However, lamenting that the department implementing the project has not been sincere but becoming more corrupted, the NSF expressed that if such funds tempts people to be corrupted than it is better not to receive such grants.

Meanwhile, hundreds of students from different colleges led by the NSF officials joined the dharna holding placards and banners inscribed with demands and expressions such as 'Don't robe SSA fund, use it for children; Don't dilute education with corruption, Make Govt schools attractive with SSA fund and SSA for children, not executive, deliver justice to the people etc.

Further, the NSF has warned to launch further phases of agitations within next few days if the Government does not fulfil their demands.

It may be recalled that the NSF in a representation submitted to the Government on June 31 last had set a deadline of August 3 for the Government to constitute the committee and enquire into the anomalies with special reference to Changtongiya Deputy Inspector of Schools where SSA funds had been diverted to other activities.

Comment