All East Kameng students Union demand officials in district

SEPPA: The All East Kameng District Students' Union (AEKDSU) took out a massive bike rally here on Saturday demanding a permanent ADC for Seppa (HQ) and filling up vacancies of nearly 60 Head and Admin-rank officers in the district. The rally began from Nicham Sonam Bridge, Seppa and culminated at the general ground.

The union which has locked horns with the State government ever since the ADC got transferred, is demanding a permanent ADC for Seppa (HQ), preferably of IAS-rank and filling up of all vacant Admin-rank offices in the district, viz CO, EAC, DIPRO, DACO, BDO, and CDPO among others.

AEKDSU president Chakang Yangda addressing the gathering said, "The union had served a seven-day ultimatum to the State Chief Secretary on May 6, pressing for their demands after former ADC of Seppa Pravimal Abhishek Polumatla got transferred prematurely. We are left with no other choice but to protest as the seven days have already expired.

"The East Kameng people are concerned over two fronts, viz., battling the coronavirus pandemic and shortage of Government officials," he said, adding that "the situation worsened after the ADC-cum-nodal officer to district level COVID-19 Control Room also got transferred. We have been only given false assurances by the Chief Secretary, stated a press release of AEKDSU.

"Although East Kameng is one of the oldest districts in the State with its own unique identity and stellar reputation across dynamic backgrounds, yet for the past many years it has suffered badly in terms of public services across the district. Most of the departmental Head offices are lying vacant for several years now. We informed the Chief Secretary's office on several occasions in the past."

The students' union reasoned that due to "insufficient administrative cadres, developmental activities and initiatives in the district is severely hampered. It is the common public who suffers here the most as all the in-charge officers are overburdened owing to which they hardly get any time to work with an effective approach."

Solidarity protests were also held by different student bodies at RGU, NERIST, DNGC and other parts of the State. The protesters carefully abided by the government guidelines for the 'Green Zone' areas, AEKDSU informed.

Meanwhile the East Kameng Study Circle, RGU in a solidarity statement stated that they "stand in complete support of the students and public of Seppa.