The Jaiñtia Student’s Movement (JSM) today staged a protest outside the Kiang Nangbah College in Jowai during the visit of Education Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui to push through their demand for setting up a government college for the district.
This is for the second time that the student’s body carried out a surprise protest during the visit of the minister. The first was in September last year.
Rymbui at that time had said the State government has not taken any decision to set up a government college in East Jaiñtia Hills but it will set up one each for Patharkhmah and Rongjeng.
The demand for a government college was made since 2015 by the JSM since only the Kiang Nangbah Government College located in Jowai caters to all students of the entire Jaiñtia Hills region.
JSM Education Secretary Heyboyme Myrpet said, “It is sad that we have seven representatives from the Jaiñtia Hills region and none of these have ever pursued with setting up of a government college in the Assembly instead chose to set up casinos.”
JSM president Leningstar Rymbai said even after 50 years of Statehood, Meghalaya still remains backward because of inefficient governments. “East Jaiñtia Hills is a district that generates huge revenue for the government with the availability of coal, limestone, cement and other resources. But the government derives all the benefits without thinking of development this part of the state.”
He reiterated that a government college will cater to students who cannot afford to go for higher studies outside and would bring down dropout rates.
