Shillong June 13: The Ri Bhoi Students’ Union (RBSU) has threatened to boycott the upcoming 2018 election as a mark of protest against the delay in sanctioning a government college for Ri Bhoi, which had just celebrated its 25 years of districthood.
“We would be compelled to mobilise support and ensure that people in the district boycott the forthcoming Assembly election if the plight of the students are not addressed,” RBSU president Everjoy Nongpluh told reporters today.
The students’ body has been demanding the setting up of government college to cater to the educational needs of students from the district.
Nongpluh informed that a delegation had earlier this year, met Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, who assured that he would look into the demand seriously.
“The CM had asked us to wait after the budget session of the Assembly, but till today, nothing has been done towards fulfilling the demand,” Nongpluh said.
He also lambasted sitting legislators representing the five constituencies in Ri-bhoi district, for their failures on this regards despite being part of the Congress-led government.
“We want our legislators to raise this issue in the Assembly session, which will be held later this year, rather than just simply sitting inside the House,” he said, even as he asked politicians to refrain from politicizing the issue.
According to Nongpluh, in the absence of government college in the district, students from Ri Bhoi district have to take admission in colleges in Shillong, thereby facing the brunt of paying exorbitant hostel fee and house rent.
RBSU threatens Assembly poll boycott over delay to set up Govt College
