‘Geyzing college project delay due to new additions, landowner issue and pandemic’

KUNAL RAI

Same reactionary elements present at every protest in Sikkim: Khaling
GANGTOK,: SKM spokesperson Jacob Khaling on Saturday claimed the presence of certain ‘reactionary’ individuals in almost every protest on various issues taking place in Sikkim. Some such anti-establishment individuals, as per intelligence inputs, were also involved in the January 26 farmers’ violence at Singhu border near Delhi, said the SKM spokesperson at a press meet here.
Khaling was presenting the ruling front’s position on the protests made by Geyzing Government College over infrastructure issues where he made such claims.
“There are some individuals who are always reactionary and anti-establishment. They do not like the development or pleasant initiatives initiated and want to create nuisance. Our students are committed towards their education but some do mislead and misguide,” said the SKM spokesperson.
Khaling maintained that the college students’ protest had presence of few ‘anti-establishment’ individuals, who as per intelligence inputs received, were involved in the January 26 farmers’ protest near the Delhi border. One had also given a provocative speech there, he said.
We appeal the Union intelligence agencies like NIA to launch investigation into such anti-national individuals as this is not a threat to the State but to the nation also since Sikkim shares international borders, said Khaling. These persons are involved in almost all the protests that take place in Sikkim on several issues and appropriate action should be taken against them, he said.
Coming to the Geyzing college issue and detention of the students, Khaling said the action taken by the police was as per the complaint made. He pointed out that Education minister Kunga Nima Lepcha had returned home recently after a lengthy medical treatment. As per his doctor’s advice, the minister is participating only in important meetings and major programmes for limited time and it was due to his health issues, he was not able to meet the students, he said.
Khaling went back to March 2020 where Chief Minister P.S. Golay had invited the Geyzing college students to hear their problems.
“During the meeting, additional suggestions were made like enhancing the capacity of the college auditorium compared to the earlier DPR. We accepted the suggestions and prepared a new DPR on the same lines which took some time,” said the SKM spokesperson.
“There was also an issue with the landowner and it took a series of inspections for reaching an amicable solution which also delayed the construction work progress. The major cause was short supply of construction materials and labourers due to the pandemic. We accept there was a delay but it was not intentional from the government. Our Chief Minister has envisioned to develop Geyzing college with best facilities in place,” said Khaling.
Khaling stressed that the SKM government is giving top priority to health and education sectors. He highlighted the major works taken in education sector during these 20 months of SKM government.