Itanagar: The All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) on Saturday withdrew its proposed 48-hour bandh from Monday after the Arunachal Pradesh govt agreed to act on several education-related demands, including revival of Toru Engineering College, infrastructure development at 56 government schools and an inquiry into the utilisation of Rs 500 crore under ‘Mission Shikshit Arunachal’.The decision followed a coordination meeting chaired by CM Pema Khandu at the CMO in Itanagar. Education, home and health ministers, Nyishi legislators, representatives of the Nyishi elite society, ANSU president Ashok Doka and other union representatives attended the meeting.According to the official minutes, the govt will provide financial support and undertake infrastructure development at the 56 schools identified by ANSU in Nyishi-inhabited areas. The education department will submit proposals to the planning and investment department after due diligence.For Toru Engineering College, the govt has directed the education department to initiate recruitment for 34 teaching and non-teaching posts and pursue approval from the All India Council for Technical Education. Proposals will also be prepared for water supply and electrification, with efforts to operationalise the college by the 2027-28 academic session.On ANSU’s demand for a govt B.Ed college in Keyi Panyor district, the govt said a B.Ed programme at Neelam Taram Govt College, Yachuli, had already been notified on August 20. The govt also agreed in principle to establish a school for children with special needs at Pakke Kessang, subject to an assessment of funding for the already approved school at Siji in Lower Siang district.Furthermore, decision was taken to send a note to the anti-corruption bureau for an inquiry into concerns raised by ANSU over the utilisation of Rs 500 crore under ‘Mission Shikshit Arunachal’. The education department has been directed to finalise the programme’s standard operating procedures and place them before the cabinet at its next meeting.
