Arunachal Pradesh Education Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona has urged the All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) to withdraw its proposed 12-hour bandh on September 24, assuring the organisation that the government is taking steps to address its demands related to education infrastructure in Nyishi-inhabited areas.
Sona held discussions with representatives of ANSU on Tuesday over three key demands raised by the students’ organisation as part of its ongoing movement.
The minister said the meeting was convened to review the issues raised by ANSU and explain the steps already taken by the government. He clarified that no resolution was adopted during the meeting and that the discussions were intended to communicate the government’s position and the progress made so far.
During the meeting, the Education Department presented its action-taken report on the demands. Sona said several proposals concerning education infrastructure had already been submitted to the Planning Department for consideration.
According to the minister, a total of 26 infrastructure requirements have been identified, of which more than half were either ready or at an advanced stage of implementation.
He said the remaining demands would be examined in consultation with the Planning Department and other concerned departments, particularly in relation to funding and the possibility of convergence with existing schemes and programmes.
Sona also highlighted several infrastructure requirements raised by the students’ body, including hostels, undergraduate blocks, staff quarters and boundary walls.
He said these works would be taken up in a phased and need-based manner, depending on the availability of funds and the requirements of individual institutions.
The minister stressed that addressing education infrastructure gaps would require continued dialogue and cooperation among the government, students and other stakeholders.
He also pointed out that the government has to consider development requirements across different sectors, communities and districts of Arunachal Pradesh while planning and allocating resources.
Sona appealed to ANSU to reconsider its decision to hold the September 24 bandh in view of the discussions held with the government and the steps already initiated on the organisation’s demands.
