Andrott: Hundreds of students and local political leaders marched to the Deputy Collector’s (DC) office in Andrott on October 21. This marks the second day of protests regarding the education crisis in Lakshadweep. The first was held on October 19.
“Members of all political parties and students started to march from Andrott Island, shouting slogans to the DC office. With police permission, representatives from the political parties and students met and talked to the office-in-charge at the DC office.
In the absence of Deputy Collector Kuldip Singh Thakur, DANICS, the office-in-charge alerted the head office, raising our concerns in front of us. They promised orally to resolve the issues raised by the students. As the students weren’t willing to agree to an oral promise, they informed us that there would be a resolution by 5 pm today, either in writing or by mail.
The students alerted the authorities that if no action is taken by 5 pm, they will strengthen their protests from tomorrow, and the group got dissolved for now,” said Aboo Salih, PTA member, who actively took part in the protest.
The students were demanding proper enrolment in courses, appropriate facilities, scholarships, renewal of teachers’ contracts, action on frozen salaries and so on.
Initially, students, parents and representatives of local political parties began a warning strike in Kadamat. The protest started with students raising slogans at Government College of Arts and Science in Kadamat, followed by a march to the Block Development Office.
(This story is compiled Shyama)