Social Welfare Secy to visit Sikkim students in Himachal; situation resolved assures local admn

GANGTOK, 08 Dec: Secretary, Social Justice Department, GC Upadhyay, will be visiting Sikkim student studying at the Himalayan Group of Professional Institutions in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh on Monday. This comes after he was deputed by the State government to look into the cries of insecurity voiced by the Sikkim students at the institute.
Mr. Upadhyay, who flew for New Delhi today, informed NOW! that since he was on his way to Delhi he would also visit the institute and spend time with and talk with the Sikkim students at the institute as well as the authorities there.
Meanwhile it is also informed that the local Sirmaur district administration has assured the Sikkim government that the situation is now resolved and peaceful. This, after a clash erupted between a group of Haryana students and Sikkim students some days back.
There are a total of 71 Sikkim students at the Himalayan Group of Professional Institutes, 69 of whom joined after they were provided scholarships by the state government to pursue higher studies. The institute, which is located at Kala Amb, is a prestigious one and offers courses in MBA, technical and other post matriculation courses, it is informed.
The initial fracas broke out some days ago between two groups of students and it is likely that tension between the two groups had been simmering for some time now. Students from Sikkim allege that they are derided and stigmatized, particularly the girl students. The immediate cause of the violence seems to be the attempt of some Haryana based students to get one of the Sikkim students with long hair to get it cut. Threats are also alleged to have been issued to the Sikkim students.
It is also alleged that the administration of the institution has not been very supportive of the Sikkim students; in fact when contacted they tried to play down the issue saying that it was a minor one which had been resolved and there was nothing further. However, students from Sikkim continue to send out appeals for security.
Mr. Upadhayay informed that he had spoken to the Director and Chairman of the institute, who in turn assured that there was nothing to worry about and that the earlier tension had been sorted out.
After the news spread, the local DC and SP were contacted by the state government including the Chief Secretary and the DGP; following this both officials are informed to have visited the institute and interacted with the students.
As conveyed by Mr. Upadhyaya the local officials have informed that there is nothing to worry about and that they would ensure full security for the students there.
This morning too there was communication between the two state administrations on the matter and all contact details of officials of Sikkim have been forwarded to the students. It has been assured that the situation as of now is resolved.