The All Sumi Students’ Union (SKK) held a silent protest on March 6 outside Nagaland Legislative Assembly to expresss resentment against the government over the failure to upgrade the Khelhoshe Polytechnic Atoizu. The SKK had earlier issued an ultimatum to the Nagaland government demanding the immediate upgradation of Khelhoshe Polytechnic Atoizu (KPA) to a full-fledged engineering college within a specified timeframe, typically a 15-day deadline, failing which they had threatened further actions to press their demand.

“There is no engineering college in Nagaland which is why thousands of students are being compelled to go outside of the state for further studies. Keeping in mind the economic status of the majority of the Naga populace, this protest is being held, said Giguka K Zhimomi, President SKK. He also informed that they submitted a representation to Government in 2024 but received no response.

“Repeated representations have been submitted to the Government . While there have been verbal assurances from the Government whoever practical implementation has not been streamlinedWe are compelled to submit an ultimatum to the state government through the Department of Technical Education on 28^th of February which expired on March 5^th. Even after ultimatum there’s no positive response,” said Zhimomi.

The SKK Is of the view that the Government have been stagnant and delaying the upgradation of KPA . “The silent protest is not because KPA is in Sumi jurisdiction but rather it is because it’s the first and oldest polytechnic in Nagaland. KPA has served its purpose by producing technocrats and skilled engineers,” asserted the SKK President underscoring the importance of a higher technical institution in Nagaland.

Hipito Achumi, Representative to the NSF also highlighted that the KPA has been a beacon of hope for countless students seeking to acquire technical skills and knowledge. “Despite the government’s cabinet resolution in 2007 to upgrade KPА, this promise remains unfulfilled even after 18 years. It is imperative to hold the government accountable for its commitment and demand the long-overdue upgrade of KPA,” stated Achumi.

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He also Informed that SKK is inviting all concerned Sumi elders, officers, leaders, students, and units of SKK, as well as everyone on Twitter, to join them in a Twitter Storm starting from March 6, from 4-6 pm to raise their voices and demand that the government take immediate action to upgrade KPA into a full-fledged Engineering College. Achumi urged people to join the Twitter Storm through tweets, retweet, and likes related to the cause using  hashtags to amplify the voice.

Several Tribal organizations, Student organizations including the Angami students union were also present to express their solidarity to SKK.

The SKK has informed that the agitation will go on until written assurances are given from the state Government. It expressed hope that the government will start implementing and upgrading KPA to a full fledged engineering college at the earliest. “This initiative is not to target any individual leadership or to undermine the process of the government function, but to fully demand for the right of the students and to seek for a legitimate right,” asserted the Union.

The SKK has submitted an ultimatum during the protest. The key points include:

1. Focus on KPA upgradation: The Sumi Students Union specifically wants KPA to be upgraded to a full-fledged engineering college, recognized by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the National Board of Accreditation (NBA).
2. Time-bound demand: The union has given a clear deadline to the government to initiate concrete steps towards KPA upgradation.
3. Reason for urgency: The Sumi students believe that the current state of KPA is inadequate and needs significant improvement to cater to the technical education needs of the region.